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[2025 Fukuoka Prefecture New Year's Shrine Visit Guide] Kashii Shrine, the "Shrine of Couples" that Connects Love
At the beginning of the year, people visit shrines and temples to give thanks for the past year and pray for safety and happiness in the new year.
We will introduce you to some shrines in Fukuoka Prefecture that you should visit for your first visit of the year.
Kashii Shrine (Kashii, Higashi Ward, Fukuoka City) is one of the 16 imperial shrines in Japan.
Kashii Shrine is said to have originated when Empress Jingu built a shrine to enshrine the spirit of her husband, Emperor Chuai, who died in Kashii during his Western Expedition in 200 AD. After Empress Jingu's death, both the Emperor and the Emperor came to be enshrined here.
Since the main deities enshrined here are the husband and wife Emperor Chuai and Empress Jingu, it is known as the "Shrine of Couples" that connects love, and many people visit to pray for marital and family harmony. In addition, since Empress Jingu went to war while pregnant and gave birth to her son, Emperor Ojin, safely upon her return, it is also worshipped as the "Holy Mother Daimyojin" and people pray for safe childbirth.
The main hall, with its beautiful vermilion color, is also noteworthy. It was rebuilt in the Edo period in a style called "Kashii-zukuri," and is the only one of its kind in the country. It has been designated a national important cultural property.
Image: Kashii Shrine
In addition to Ise, there are 16 shrines nationwide, including Atsuta, Meiji and other shrines, and only two in Kyushu, Usa Shrine and Kashii Shrine, that are "imperial shrines" to which the emperor sends an imperial envoy. Kashii Shrine has a long history and status, as the emperor sends an imperial envoy to hold a festival once every 10 years (the next one will be in 2025).
The sacred tree, Ayasugi, also mentioned in the "Shin Kokin Wakashu"
On the way from the tower gate to the worship hall, there is a sacred tree called "Ayasugi" that is over 1800 years old. In the Shin Kokin Wakashū, it is written, "The Ayasugi tree of Kashii Palace in Chihayafuru was planted as a purification ritual for the gods."
Image: Kashii Shrine
It is said that Empress Jingu buried the cedar branch that she had placed in the sleeve of her armor as a talisman along with her three treasures - a sword, a spear, and a staff - with the prayer that it "may protect our country forever."
The leaves grow alternately like a twill, hence the name Ayasugi. You'll be overwhelmed by its eternal history and size.
Within the grounds, there are plenty of other must-see spots, including the "Furo-sui" water, which is the subject of a legend of eternal youth and longevity and was selected as one of the Environment Agency's "100 Famous Waters of Japan."
Keiseki Shrine: God of chickens and children
"Keishi Shrine" is located in the grounds of "Kashii Shrine." According to the Edo period book "Unkonshi," the shrine's origins date back to a time when a monk felt pity for the dead chicken and enshrined it in a small shrine.
Image: Kashii Shrine
Just as a chicken lays eggs and the eggs hatch, it is said that this shrine has the divine virtue of ``Shurikosei'', which allows things to come to fruition from the intangible, and helps all of one's long-cherished desires to finally come true.
In addition, since chickens do not crow at night, they are said to have the power to stop children from crying at night, and they are also loved as "gods of children."
Featured Amulets
One item worth checking out is the "Married Couple Charm" (2,000 yen), named after the married couple gods. This talisman is said to bring eternal love and health between partners, as well as the blessing of children and other forms of happiness. Two small, cute talismans are included in the small box.
From ancient times to the present, Japanese people have seen a deep relationship between gods and pillars, such as the "Ame no Mihashira" pillar supporting the heavens, which was the catalyst for the meeting between Izanagi no Mikoto and Izanami no Mikoto, and the "Shin no Mihashira" pillar at the Grand Shrine of Ise. Inspired by the protection of the gods that reside in these "pillars," the "Otohisa Amulet" (1,500 yen) is a talisman that acts as a center of the heart and supports the wearer. It is said to support the heart, remove anxiety, and make dreams and the future come true.
In addition to the regular goshuin, there is also a limited number of "Reiwa 7 Imperial Festival Commemorative Goshuin" (1,000 yen) to commemorate the once-every-10-year Imperial Festival to be held in 2025. The stamp is based on the "Picture of the Spring Offerings of the Shishi Year in the First Year of the Bunka Era: The Four-Crossroads Public Pilgrimage."
Year-end and New Year events
From 9am every day during the New Year holidays, the official account (@kashiiguu) will be posting information about the current status of queues for first shrine visits of the year.
On December 31st, the shrine will close at 18:00 and reopen at 23:30, but from January 1st to 7th, it is open to visitors 24 hours a day (gates are open).
[Time to distribute talismans, amulets, and lucky charms]
December 28th, 29th, and 30th: 9:00-17:00
December 31st 9:00-17:00/23:30-January 1st, 2025 22:00
January 2nd and 3rd: 8:00-21:00
January 4th and 5th 8:00-18:00
From January 6th onwards: 9:00-17:00
[Events]
December 31st Great Purification Ceremony 15:00/16:00, New Year's Eve Ceremony 16:30~
January 1st New Year's Day Festival 3:00~
[Prayer reception hours]
December 28th and 29th 9:00-16:00
December 30th and 31st 9:00-15:30
January 1st 0:00-1:30 / 8:00-17:30
January 2nd and 3rd: 9:00-17:30
January 4th and 5th 9:00-17:00
From January 6th (Weekdays) 9:00-16:00 (Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays) 9:00-16:30
[Hours for storing old charms and amulets] Ofuda (talismans), omamori (charms), hamaya (arrows used for warding off evil), etc.
※A temporary storage facility for used bills is set up in the parking lot.
December 28th, 29th, and 30th: 9:00-16:00
December 31st 9:00-17:00 / 23:00-January 1st 20:00
January 2nd and 3rd: 8:00-20:00
January 4th and 5th 8:00-18:00
January 6th 8:00-17:00
January 7th to 14th 9:00-17:00
January 15th 9:00-18:00
[Rest Area]
January 1st to 3rd: 8:00 to 20:00
January 4th to 13th: 9:00-16:30
From January 14th (during January) 9:00-16:00
The first three days of the New Year are expected to be very busy. Please check the surrounding traffic conditions before heading out. (Text/ARNE Editorial Department)
＜Click on the facility name for more information about the facility ↓＞
■ Kashii Shrine
Address: 4-16-1 Kashii, Higashi-ku, Fukuoka City, Fukuoka Prefecture
Access: 4 minutes on foot from JR Kashii-Jingu Station, 15 minutes on foot from JR Kashii Station, 12 minutes on foot from Nishitetsu Kashii-Miyamae Station
HP:https://kashiigu.com/
X:@kashiiguu
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*Kashii Shrine
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