[Taiwanese Editor Kuma's Walk in Kanazawa] Oyama Shrine's charm is more than just the Shinmon gate! | Oyama Shrine, Kanazawa, Ishikawa

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Based on the concept of "Explore Kanazawa, Enjoy Kanazawa", we provide selected information on Kanazawa, such as new stores, events, gourmet food, and sightseeing spots as a local information site in Ishikawa Prefecture. In addition to domestic media such as "SmartNews" and "goo News" in Japan, we collaborate with overseas media in China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Thailand, and Vietnam to widely convey the appeal of Ishikawa Prefecture.

Hi there! I'm Kuma from Taiwan, delivering from the KanazawaBiyori Editorial Department. Being in charge of the series "Kuma's Walk in Kanazawa", I have been spending my days discovering various things here. Sometimes new discovery for me, but sometimes maybe also a rediscovery of Kanazawa for the locals! I hope that we can continue the walk in this fascinating place together. Thank you for your interest, and please enjoy reading.

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Table of Contents
The highlight: Shinmon Gate
There are many types of fortune slips!
Goshuin and Goshuincho
A wide variety of cute charms

The highlight: Shinmon Gate

I visited Oyama Shrine, a popular tourist spot and a familiar place in the hearts of Kanazawa residents. Many visitors are captivated by the dignified appearance of the Shinmon Gate, one of the shrine's highlights. The unique Shinmon Gate, which combines Japanese, Chinese and Western architectural styles, is equipped with the oldest surviving lightning rod in Japan, and while it is a historic structure, it has also been designated as an Important Cultural Property by the government. The shrine is lit up from sunset until 10 p.m., which adds to the magical atmosphere of the glasswork at the top.

Why was a shrine decorated with glass? I wondered, and the chief priest, Haruki Kato-san, answered the question in the "Ask the Chief Priest!" section of the Oyama Shrine's official website. There are also other interesting contents that will deepen your knowledge, such as the treasures at Oyama Shrine and the mysterious legends handed down at Oyama Shrine. If you're interested, be sure to check it out!

There are many types of fortune slips!

After praying, I was surprised at the variety of fortune slips. From "Fortune slips with good luck charms", to "Love fortune slips", "Fortune slips for men", "Fortune slips for women", "Fortune slips for generations" that reach the hearts of people of different generations, and "Fortune slips in foreign languages", it's hard to decide which one to draw...! The designs of the "Fortune slips for generations" are all cute, and I would like to draw fortune slips for each generation when I get older. There is a "Brilliance Fortune Slip (kagayaki)" for people in their teens to 30s, a "Fly Fortune Slip (kakeru)" for people in their 30s to 60s, and a "Joy Fortune Slip (tanoshimi)" for people in their 60s and up. Am I the only one thinking that the range of ages is too wide? Are these fortune slips that can provide guidance for the worries of both teenagers and people in their 30s...? I'm curious!

Goshuin and Goshuincho

There are also unique goshuincho (stamp notebooks) exclusive to Oyama Shrine, with designs that convey the charm of Oyama Shrine and Kanazawa, from designs depicting the shinmon gate, to yuzen patterns, inden-style designs, and even wooden covers, making them the perfect memento of your trip. The regular goshuin (stamps) have a different design on the bottom right, which changes every month, so be sure to check it out.

A wide variety of cute charms

I was captivated by the wide variety of cute charms. Compared to the "Sports Improvement Charm" with the motif of several types of ball sports, the colorful "Schoolbag Charm", and the "Frog Charm" with the three good fortune frog charm, the black and white "Work Charm" looks a little less cute. It must represent the composure of an adult!

There are many special charms available, such as charms featuring popular characters like "Rilakkuma Charms" and "Hello Kitty Charms", "Children's Charms" featuring small animals, and "Travel Safety Charms" inspired by Japanese passports.

In addition to the elegant "Amulet for warding off evil," the gentle-colored "Amulet for brocade," "Amulet for family happiness," and "Amulet for recovery from illness," I was also intrigued by the strong impact of the "Amulet for cutting off misfortune."

Oyama Shrine enshrines the first lord of the Kaga domain, Maeda Toshiie, and his wife Omatsu, and is said to be a rare shrine in Japan that enshrines both the husband and wife as gods. According to "Ask the Chief Priest!" , since Maeda Toshiie is the deity of a military commander, the shrine is said to bring benefits such as "both academic and martial arts excellence" and "certain victory," and since the couple are enshrined together, many people also pray for "marital harmony" and "safe childbirth."

For this reason, the "Victory Charm" with its striking design of the Maeda family crest and helmet, and the "Fuufu Charm" with its pair of mandarin birds under a plum crest are also popular. I was curious about the "Kenshu Gozou Charm" next to it, which had already sold out that day. Is it a talisman that will keep you healthy even if you drink alcohol? If you know anything about it, please let me know!

Oyama Shrine

11-1 Oyamamachi, Kanazawa City, Ishikawa Prefecture 920-0918

Address: 11-1 Oyamacho, Kanazawa City, Ishikawa Prefecture
TEL: 076-231-7210
Purification time: 9:30-15:30
Shrine/stamp reception hours: 9:00-17:00
Closed days: Open all year round
Parking lot: 15 spaces
Access: Castle Town Kanazawa Tour Bus, Hokuriku Railroad Bus, West Japan JR Bus About 3 minutes from "Minamimachi Oyama Jinja" bus stop
Click here for official website

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