2024 is the Year of the Dragon. 10 Best "Dragon in the Chozuya" Shrines to Enjoy at the Shrines of Okayama
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The Chozuya (purification fountain) at temples and shrines is always decorated with a fierce dragon! We introduce dragon gods with unique appearances.
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Okayama Prefecture is located in the Chuo of Western Japan, and is known as the "Land of Sunshine" due to its warm climate and little rain throughout the year. It is conveniently located halfway between famous tourist spots such as Kyoto, Osaka, and Hiroshima, and is also the gateway to Shikoku via the Great Seto Bridge. Okayama is also known as the "Fruit Kingdom," and the fruits that grow in the warm climate of the Seto Inland Sea and sunshine are of the highest quality in terms of sweetness, aroma, and flavor. You can enjoy seasonal fruits such as white peaches, Muscat grapes, and Pione grapes! Okayama is also home to world-famous tourist spots such as Okayama Castle, Okayama Korakuen Garden, one of Japan's three most famous gardens, and Kurashiki Bikan Historical Quarter, which are renowned for their history, culture, and art!
1. Dodo Shrine, Kasaoka City
Perhaps it's because it's a shrine that enshrines a white snake. The dragon god has a strong coiled look. He has a very handsome and gentle face. Dotsu Shrine enshrines Sarutahiko-no-Mikoto, the great god of path-opening who guides all things in a good direction, as its main deity. When you are starting something new. When you get lost. It might be a good idea to visit.
[Doudou Shrine]
Address: 1389 Yokoshima, Kasaoka City, Okayama Prefecture
TEL: 086-567-0007
Doudou Shrine | Matatabi Kasaoka.
2. Furai Kannon-in Temple/ Kurashiki City
The dragon god looked surprised. This ancient temple is famous for granting safe childbirth and fertility, and is also home to the Seven Lucky Gods, Manjusri Bodhisattva, Jizo, and the Thirty-three Kannon stone towers. There are many places to worship in the spacious grounds. The 300-year-old black pine tree is also magnificent.
Please follow the posted instructions for washing your hands carefully so as not to startle the dragon god.
[Fusai Kannon-in Temple]
Address: 820 Nakaobie , Kurashiki City, Okayama Prefecture
TEL: 086-425-2334
Fuarai Kannonji Temple Official Website
3. Yuka Shrine, Kurashiki City
The dragon god at Yuga Shrine is, for some reason, comically cute with a two-headed body! There is also an octopus god in the shrine grounds. There are also Bizen Pottery lion dogs. Yuga Gongen is said to always grant requests. It is a familiar sacred mountain that has been visited by many worshippers since ancient times. [Yuga Shrine]
Address: 2852 Kojima , Kurashiki City, Okayama Prefecture
TEL: 086-477-3001
4. Shizutani Shrine, Bizen City
"You don't have to think too hard about it," he says gently, like a teacher. He's a friendly dragon god.
Just as you would expect from the dragon god of Shizutani School, the world's oldest school for ordinary people, he has a low threshold, opens his doors, and welcomes visitors.
[Shizutani Shrine]
Address: 784 Shizutani, Bizen City, Okayama Prefecture (on the grounds of the Old Shizutani School)
TEL: 086-967-1436
Opening hours: 9:00-17:00
Closed: New Year's holiday
Admission fee: 400 yen for adults, 100 yen for elementary and junior high school students, 200 yen for those 65 and over
5. Saihoin Temple/ Bizen City
At Saihoin, famous for its hydrangeas, the delicate fingers of a hawk are spread out as if playing the piano. At the foot of the sacred mountain, Kumayama, with its mountain streams and hydrangeas, the sensitivity of the dragon god (the guardian deity of water) seems to be sharpened.
[West Court]
Address: 995 Ouchi , Bizen City, Okayama Prefecture
TEL: 086-966-9619
6. Okita Shrine, Okayama City
The dragon god at Okita Shrine on the banks of the Hyakken River is as impressive as a Hannya mask!
A dragon has 81 scales, and it is said that if you touch the upside-down scales (reverse scales) under the chin, the dragon will go into a raging demonic rage. Golden shachihoko and golden plaques. Good luck with money, prosperity in business, etc. Let's pray to the guardian deity of Okinita.
[Okita Shrine]
Address: 411 Okimoto, Naka Ward, Okayama City Prefecture
TEL: 086-277-0196
7. Saijo Inari, Okayama City
The sense of dynamism is simply amazing! This dragon god was created by an artisan. It is truly one of the three major Inari shrines in Japan, Saijo Inari. It has a dynamic shape. The dragon god is said to cut off bad relationships with his tail. The gods of severing relationships (both visits) are also very reliable. He is also holding tightly the jewel of the Eight Great Dragon Kings, who control water. It looks like he will grant you great benefits.
[Saijo Inari ]
Address: 712 Takamatsu Inari, Kita Ward, Okayama City Prefecture
TEL: 086-287-3700
8. Saidaiji Kannon-in Temple, Okayama City
Perhaps the dragon god is trying to catch a glimpse of the strangest festival in the country, Eyo? He is standing on his tiptoes. Saidaiji Kannon-in Temple is actually closely connected to dragon god worship, as there is a legend that the sacred treasure, the rhinoceros horn, which appears in the temple's legend, was entrusted to it by the dragon god. There is also a dragon god on the roof of the main hall, so be sure to stand on your tiptoes to find him. [Saidaiji Kannon-in Temple]
Address: 3-8-8 Saidaiji-naka, Higashi-ku, Okayama City, Okayama Prefecture
TEL: 086-942-2058
9. Hojuji Temple, Okayama City
As if it grew from a rock? As if it could soar into the sky at any moment? The swift dragon god resides at a temple a little way down the Yoshii River from Saidaiji Kannon-in Temple. The stone paving, the mountain gate, and the dry landscape garden are all very beautiful. Dreaming about dragons is said to be auspicious, signifying great fortune. Let's burn that figure into our memory.
[Hourinji Temple]
Address: 2-11-21 Saidaiji Kanaoka Higashimachi, Higashi-ku, Okayama City, Okayama Prefecture
10. Shinpukuji Temple/Shoo Town
Katsumata-juku on the Izumo Highway. The dragon god of Shinpuku-ji Temple, known for the large ginkgo tree that is a natural monument of the town, has impressive eyebrows. You can almost hear his powerful roar from above the impressive water basin.
Enjoy visiting the dragon gods at the Chozuya (purification fountain) in honor of the zodiac sign for 2024, the Dragon.
[Shinpukuji Temple]
Address: 647 Katsumata, Katsuo-cho, Katsuta-gun, Okayama Prefecture
TEL: 086-838-2543
Okayama Prefecture is located in the Chuo of Western Japan, and is known as the "Land of Sunshine" due to its warm climate and little rain throughout the year. It is conveniently located halfway between famous tourist spots such as Kyoto, Osaka, and Hiroshima, and is also the gateway to Shikoku via the Great Seto Bridge. Okayama is also known as the "Fruit Kingdom," and the fruits that grow in the warm climate of the Seto Inland Sea and sunshine are of the highest quality in terms of sweetness, aroma, and flavor. You can enjoy seasonal fruits such as white peaches, Muscat grapes, and Pione grapes! Okayama is also home to world-famous tourist spots such as Okayama Castle, Okayama Korakuen Garden, one of Japan's three most famous gardens, and Kurashiki Bikan Historical Quarter, which are renowned for their history, culture, and art!
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