Namba Yasaka Shrine Wedding Ceremony: Video Introduction This video, titled "Shrine Wedding at Namba Yasaka Shrine (難波八阪神社で神社結婚式)," was uploaded by "Namba Yasaka Shrine" (難波八阪神社). Namba Yasaka Shrine is located in the Naniwa Ward of downtown Osaka, in Japan's Kansai region. This video was filmed to advertise a traditional Japanese Wedding at a Shinto shrine, at Namba Yasaka Shrine. This shrine is incredibly popular on Japanese Instagram because of its unique Shishiden, a stage shaped like the head of a lion, and the Main Hall, with its beautiful architecture and solemn green and white coloring. Before reading any further, check out the video to see what a traditional Japanese Shinto wedding is like at the shrine. What Are Traditional Japanese Weddings Like? A traditional Japanese wedding, called a "Shinzenshiki" (神前式, lit. 'Ceremony before the gods'), is a wedding ceremony that takes places at a temple or shrine. During the wedding, the groom wears a black, 5-crested haori hakama (montsuki haori hakama), the most formal attire there is. Women on the other hand, wear a white kimono called a "Shiromuku," along with a special white cotton headdress. The wedding itself has several stages, including a purification ritual, a ritual drinking of sake, an exchange of rings, etc. The ceremony itself last around 20-40 minutes, but including preparations etc., the event will last several hours. Information About Namba Yasaka Shrine Photo：Namba Yasaka Shrine, Naniwa, Osaka Namba Yasaka Shrine's enshrined deities are: Susanoo, Kushinadahime, Yahashiramiko. Because Susanoo's divine virtues are divine virtues are to ward off bad luck, ward off pestilence, prosperous business, agriculture and fertility, you can see offerings from well-known companies in the precincts of the shrine. Kushiinadahime is known for her virtues of matchmaking, harmonious marriage, and easy childbirth. A wedding blessed by her is likely to bring you long-lasting happiness! Yahashiramiko are the eight gods born to Susanoo and Kushinadahime. Namba Yasaka Shrine's shuin stamp (shrine seal) is featured in the Shishiden, which is a symbol of this shrine. Even foreign tourists can tell that the stamp is from Namba Yasaka Shrine at a glance. On the cover of the original goshuin-cho (a book to collect shuin stamps), there is a lion's face and the shrine crest. The History of Namba Yasaka Shrine Photo：The Shishiden at Namba Yasaka Shrine, Naniwa, Osaka The present main shrine of Namba Yasaka Shrine was rebuilt in 1974, but it is said that the shrine was built more than 1,600 years ago, to worship Gozu Tenno, a god that is said to have appeared in order to subdue a plague that was spreading in the area. [Video] 0:17 - The Main Hall Colored White and Green Namba Yasaka Shrine is also known as Namba Shimonomiya, and has long been a familiar place for people born in the Namba area as a protector. In 1974, when the main shrine was rebuilt, the Shishiden was designed in the shape of a lion to ward off evil. The Shishiden enshrines the spirit of Susanoo. Shaped like a large lion's head, the Shishiden is powerful looking structure and a popular spot on Japanese social media. It's said to swallow evil spirits with its large mouth, and many people visit the shrine to pray for academic prosperity, business fortune, and victory. The Shishiden also serves as a stage, where Kagura (Shinto music and dance) and Shishimai (lion dances) are performed during special events. [Video] 0:15 - The Shishiden of Namba Yasaka Shrine Festivals at Namba Yasaka Shrine Here are two major festivals held at Namba Yasaka Shrine: ●Summer Festival The Summer Festival is held every year on July 13 and 14. During the festival, numerous portable shrines and taiko drums are paraded through the streets, and the boat procession, which was revived in 2001 for the first time in some 230 years, makes a lively parade along the Dotonbori River. On both days, folk dances and lion dances are held on the stage of the Shishiden, and there's also mochi-maki (the scattering of rice cakes to participants) and other events that attract a large number of people. ●Tsunahiki Shinji Tsunahiki Shinji is a Shinto tug-of-war ritual held on the third Sunday of January each year. It's designated as an Intangible Cultural Property of Osaka. Based on the legend of Susanoo defeating Yamata no Orochi, a legendary eight-headed serpent, and protecting the people, this ritual is to pray for people's happiness by playing tug-of-war with a large rope that is made to look like an eight-headed serpent. The 20-meter long rope is made of thin ropes strung together by local volunteers. How to Get to Namba Yasaka Shrine + Parking Information, Etc. Photo：Namba Station, Osaka Here's how to get to Namba Yasaka Shrine in Naniwa, Osaka. ●By Train ・ Take the Osaka Metro Midosuji Line or Yotsubashi Line to [Namba Station] ・ Take the Kintetsu Railway or Nankai Electric Railway to [Namba Station] ・ Take the JR Yamatoji Line to [Namba Station] After arriving at Namba Station, exit the subway from Exit 32, which is near the south gate of Osaka Metro Yotsubashi Line. After exiting, take a right and then turn right again at the intersection named "Motomachi 3-chome Kita" (元町3丁目北). There, you'll see the south gate of Namba Yasaka Shrine. It's about a 6-minute walk. ・ Take the Osaka Metro Midosuji Line or Yotsubashi Line and get off at [Daikoku-cho Station] After reaching the ground level from Exit 2, proceed to the left and turn left at the "Motomachi 3-chome Kita" intersection to reach the South Gate of Namba Yasaka Shrine. It's about a 7-minute walk. ●By Car Just west of the "Motomachi 3-chome Kita" intersection on Route 26. Parking is available on the right after entering the south gate torii. There are ample coin parking lots in the vicinity. Things to Do Near Namba Yasaka Shrine Namba Yasaka Shrine is located in the heart of Osaka, meaning it's close to pretty much every tourist attractions in the area. Below is a list of 3 nearby places you should consider checking out: Dotonbori Running east to west through the center of Osaka, this canal was completed in 1615. Soon after, theaters were set up on the south bank and the area became an entertainment district. Today there are not nearly as many theaters, and the area is known for its food culture. It has a myriad of places to eat and drink while exploring the area. It's a 15-minute walk from Namba Yasaka Shrine. Shinsekai Located 20 minutes southeast of Namba Yasaka Shrine, this is a retro area with many different eateries and attractions, such as target shooting and arcades. It's also home to the famous Tsutenkaku Tower. Nipponbashi Denden Town Nipponbashi Denden Town is the Akihabara of Osaka. The area features shops selling everything from anime goods and manga to second hand goods and electronics. There are also a number of themed cafes in the area, such as maid cafes. Being just a 15-minute walk from Namba Yasaka Shrine, it's definitely a cool place to throw on your list. This is just a few of the places you can find near Namba Yasaka Shrine, but there are many more that are relatively close, such as Osaka Castle and Sumiyoshi Taisha. Be sure to do your research before visiting! Summary of Namba Yasaka Shrine Namba Yasaka Shrine is located in Minami, Osaka and is easily accessible, attracting many domestic and international tourists. It's famous as a power spot for taking photos, and is also known for being visited by the members of Kanjani Eight (a Japanese idol group) on a TV program. The historic Namba Yasaka Shrine can be used for wedding ceremonies, as well as general shrine visits and special occasions such as Shichi-Go-San. Be sure to take your camera or have your smart phone handy to take some pictures with the shrine when you visit! ◆Namba Yasaka Shrine◆ 【Address】2-9-19, Motomachi, Naniwa-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka 【Access】 By train: 6 minutes' walk from Namba Station of Osaka Midosuji Line and Yotsubashi Line / 7 minutes' walk from Daikokucho Station of Osaka Metro Midosuji Line and Yotsubashi Line / About 6 minutes' walk from Namba Station of Nankai Electric Railway 【Parking】Available 【TripAdvisor】Namba Yasaka Shrine

The Otaue Rice Planting Festival at Sumiyoshi Taisha Shrine: Video Introduction This video, titled "Osaka Sumiyoshi Taisha Shrine's Otaue Rice Planting Festival" (大阪・住吉大社「御田植」 3年ぶりに歌や踊りも披露), was uploaded by KYODO NEWS. The "Otaue Shinji (rice planting ritual)" is usually held on June 14 to pray for a bountiful harvest. It was suspended after the Corona disaster, but will be restored in 2022. The video shows how the "ueme" (rice planting maidens) receive the seedlings from the gods and how the farmers plant them in the paddy fields on the shrine grounds, as well as the samurai event and the dancing of the yaotome maidens. Be sure to check out the footage of the Otaue Festival held at Sumiyoshi Taisha Shrine in the video. The Otaue Rice Planting Festival of Sumiyoshi Taisha Shrine: History, Etc. Photo：The samurai procession during the Otaue Rice Planting Festival at Sumiyoshi Taisha Shrine, Osaka, Japan The history of the rice planting ritual held at Sumiyoshi Taisha Shrine is long, dating back to the time when the legendary Empress Jingu was enshrined at the shrine, according to legends. It appears that the festival was held on a large scale as well, as there are records of performing arts such as sarugaku and dengaku being performed during the Kamakura period (circa 1185-1333 A.D.). Although the festival was in danger of being discontinued during the Meiji Restoration (1868-1912 A.D.), it has continued to survive to the present day and has been designated as an Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property by the government of Japan. It's also known as one of the three major rice planting festivals in Japan, along with the festivals held at Katori Jingu Shrine and Izawa no Miya Shrine. The rice planting festival of Sumiyoshi Taisha Shrine has many highlights. The first is the dance performed in the center of the rice field by the yaotome. Eight Yaotome dancers dance around an umbrella to the accompaniment of songs sung by the priests. [Video] 0:06 - Yaotome Dancing There is also a samurai procession, in which brave warriors in armor appear. It is said that the warriors prayed for the longevity of their military fortunes, and the highlight of the festival is the warriors showing off their military prowess. The event is also believed to be a prayer to ward off evil spirits. [Video] 0:18 - The Samurai Procession The children can also be seen performing the traditional rice planting dance and songs for the first time in three years, reviving one of the highlights of the festival. [Video] 1:09 - The Rice Planting Song and Dance Another highlight of the festival is the Sumiyoshi Odori dance, performed in unique costumes to the sound of tapping umbrella handles. Deities Worshipped at Sumiyoshi Taisha Shrine Photo：Hatsutatsu-mairi, a visit to four shrines, at Sumiyoshi Taisha Shrine, Osaka Sumiyoshi Taisha Shrine is said to have been established approximately 1,800 years ago. The shrine was originally built by Empress Jingu upon her safe return from the Silla (an ancient Korean kingdom) invasion. It is also known as the head shrine of the more than 2,300 Sumiyoshi shrines throughout Japan. The three deities of Sumiyoshi Taisha Shrine are Sokotsutsuno-o no Mikoto, Nakatsutsuno-o no Mikoto, and Uwatsutsuno-o no Mikoto. Amaterasu and Empress Jingu are also enshrined here as well. These gods were born when Izanagi no Mikoto cleansed the land. These deities are said to have been born when Izanagi no Mikoto performed misogi (A Shinto water purification ritual), and are said to protect against all kinds of misfortune by purifying the body and mind. Many Japanese shrines use dragons as motifs for their handbasins, but Sumiyoshi Taisha Shrine uses rabbits. There is also a "nade-usagi" (petting rabbit) made of stone on the shrine grounds that can be stroked to pray for good health. The origin of this festival is said to be that Sumiyoshi Taisha Shrine was founded on the first day of the first month of the year of the hare in the year of the "Kano-tou" (the year of the hare). In the year of the Rabbit, the shrine is especially crowded with people. Sumiyoshi Taisha Shrine: A Power Spot in Osaka Photo：The light-heavy stone at Shumiyoshi Taisha Shrine, Osaka Sumiyoshi Taisha Shrine is well-known by the people of Osaka and Japan's Kinki region. The shrine has been worshipped as the first shrine in the Settsu Province since ancient times, and is now regarded as one of the best power spots in Osaka. Power spots are places in Japan that are deemed sacred, and are said to be places where one can receive healing or blessings. Additionally, there are many good luck charms that can be purchased at Sumiyoshi Taisha Shrine. One attraction at Sumiyoshi Taisha Shrine is the "Omokaruseki" (light or heavy stone), which will tell you if your wishes will come true, and a rare maneki neko (beckoning cat) wearing a kamishimo (formal samurai attire). It's very photogenic and many people come visit to take Instagram photos here. The Sumiyoshi Festival: A Unique Summer Festival in Osaka Photo：The portable shrine washing ritual of the Sumiyoshi Festival, Osaka The Sumiyoshi Festival is the last of the three major festivals of Osaka. It's a summer festival of Osaka that is said to begin with the Aizen Festival and end with the Sumiyoshi Festival. It's held as an annual festival of Sumiyoshi Taisha Shrine, and the portable shrine procession is held on the last day of the festival. ●Mikoshi Arai Shinji (washing of the portable shrine) Mikoshi Arai Shinji is a ceremony to purify the portable shrine by sprinkling seawater on it prior to the portable shrine procession on the last day of the Sumiyoshi Festival. In the early morning, a special boat is launched with the cooperation of the local fishermen to pump the seawater. ●Nagoshi no Harae Shinji (summer purification ceremony) After the purification ceremony, visitors to the shrine, together with shrine maidens and children, walk through a ring of cogon grass to cleanse themselves of the impurities of the past six months. This is a ceremony to pray for good health for the remaining six months of the year. ●Mikoshi Togyo (portable shrine procession) Mikoshi Togyo is a ceremony held on the last day of the Sumiyoshi Festival. The portable shrine carries the spirit of Sumiyoshi Ookami in a portable shrine and parades along the road to Shukuin Shrine in the city of Sakai. Weighing nearly 2 tons and measuring 11 meters long, the sight of the extremely large portable shrine crossing Sorihashi Bridge is a heroic sight. When it arrives at the Shukuin Shrine, a purification ceremony is held. Sumiyoshi Taisha Shrine: Admission Fee, Hours, and How to Get There Sumiyoshi Taisha Shrine is located slightly south of central Osaka where major tourist attractions like Osaka Castle are located. The easiest way to get to Sumiyoshi Taisha Shrine is to take a train to Sumiyoshitoriimae Station. After arriving at the station, it's an approximately 3-minute walk to the shrine. From Osaka Station you can take the Osaka Loop Line to Tennoji Station, walk to Tennojiekimae Station (5 minutes) and then take the Hankaidenki-Uemachi Line (阪堺電気軌道上町線)—a streetcar—to Sumiyoshitoriimae Station (住吉鳥居前) (approximately 40 minutes). Admission Fee: Free Hours: 6:00 am - 5:00 pm (April to September), 6:30 am - 5:00 pm (October to March) ※The Souvenir shop is open from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm Summary of Festivals at Sumiyoshi Taisha Shrine Various events and rituals are held at Sumiyoshi Taisha Shrine. However, in the past few years, events and rituals have been cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic. Now that travel restrictions have been lifted, the Otaue Rice Planting Festival at Sumiyoshi Taisha Shrine is now able to include worshippers and we can once again see the splendid dances of the shrine maidens and heroic appearance of the samurai procession. Sumiyoshi Taisha's rice planting festival is held to pray for a good harvest and to ward off epidemics. If you're in Osaka around this time of year, be sure to stop by and see the festival. You're sure to be fascinated by the solemnity and splendor of the ancient Shinto rituals! 【Official Website】Sumiyoshi Taisha Shrine 【TripAdvisor】Sumiyoshi Taisha Shrine