Top Things to do in Yoshino-cho
Top Restaurants in Yoshino-cho
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10 Things to do in Yoshino-cho That You Shouldn't Miss
Discover the best top things to do in Yoshino-cho, Japan including Mt. Yoshino, Yoshimizu Shrine, Kinpusenji Temple, Hanayagura, Yoshino Mikumari Shrine, Nyoirinji Temple, Yoshino Shrine, Chikurinin Gumpoen, Noten Daijin Ryuoin Temple, Yoshinoyama Ropeway.
Restaurants in Yoshino-cho
1. Mt. Yoshino
2. Yoshimizu Shrine
3. Kinpusenji Temple
4. Hanayagura
5. Yoshino Mikumari Shrine
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 77 reviews
Reviewed By japanfan2016 - Fukuoka, Japan
The Yoshino Mikumari Shrine is one of four Shinto shrines in the former province Yamato dedicated to Mikumari (also Ame-no-mikumari-no-ōkami), a female deity, associated with water, fertility and safe birth. Like in allmost every shrine there are also some less important deities: Takami-musubi-no-kami, Sukuna-hiko-no-kami, Mikogami, Ama-tsu-hiko-hi-no-ninigi-no-mikoto, Tamayori-hime-no-mikoto, and Yorozu-hata-toyo-akitsushi-hime-no-mikoto. A wooden statue of the deity Tamayori-hime made during the Kamakura period is registered as a National Treasure of Japan (not on display). The main hall (honden) is an unusual structure with three edifices all lying under the same bark roof.The central edifice is dedicated to Mikumari, the other two edifices are housing the sub-deities. The present-day buildings go back to 1605, when Toyotomi Hideyori rebuilt the shrine, as his father Toyotomi Hideyoshi (a war lord who united Japan) had prayed here for a son and successor. The name mikumari refers to the distribution (kubari) of water (mizu) by the main deity. Since the Heian Period Mikumari became also the protector of children as there is a phonetic similarity to mikomori (protect children). There are votive offerings such as photos, baby clothes etc. showing that even today people come up to this remote place to pray for children. In 2004, the shrine was designated as part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site under the name Sacred Sites and Pilgrimage Routes in the Kii Mountain Range.
