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Located almost in the center of Osaka Prefecture, Matsubara City is known as the "navel of Osaka." This quiet town, easily accessible from Osaka city, is home to many power spots, including a shrine for love fulfillment that's become a hot topic on social media, a shrine with a beautiful flower ceiling, and a shrine dedicated to the god of teeth. Why not take a stroll through Matsubara to bring good fortune?
Guide
Born in Osaka Prefecture.
She has been active as a magazine model since her teens. She has worked in a wide range of fields, including travel and fashion. She is a certified yoga instructor and therapist, and has also launched her own model management business. She loves mountain climbing and traveling, and often visits shrines with her goshuincho (stamp book) when traveling.
Located about 10 minutes by Kintetsu train from Tennoji, Matsubara City is the gateway to the Minamikawachi region and is home to many shrines and temples that exude a romantic history, including Nunose Shrine, famous for its "love fortune" that have been featured in TV commercials and on social media. The "Good Luck Matsubara Six Shrine Pilgrimage" held during the New Year period is particularly popular, with many people visiting every year.
*Good Luck Matsubara Six Shrine Pilgrimage: An event in which people visit six Nunose Shrine, including five in Matsubara City - Nunoshi Shrine, Gadou Hachimangu Shrine, ao Shrine, Ao Shrine, and Shibagaki Shrine - and Amamikoso Shrine in Higashisumiyoshi Ward, Osaka City, between New Year's Day and January 15th. If you visit all of them and collect worship stamps on a votive plaque, you will be given a papier-mâché of the zodiac animal.
This time, we will introduce three shrines recommended for women from among the six shrines in Matsubara that are perfect for good luck!
A thrilling experience for the young girl! Draw love fortune at Nunose Shrine
Nunose Shrine is famous for its "love fortune," a collaboration with contemporary artist Ichihara Hiroko. Originally, it was mainly visited by locals as a shrine for healing illnesses and warding off evil spirits, but in recent years, the number of young women praying for success in love has increased dramatically thanks to love fortune and talismans! It is also attracting attention as a mecca for bicycles, as it is a passing point on Koyakaido leading to Mount Koya.
Priest Terauchi originally worked as a sculptor. He met contemporary artist Ichihara Hiroko at the Ema exhibition "EMA - 1/12," which invited cultural figures to donate votive plaques, and this led to the creation love fortune. He was approached by Ichihara Hiroko, who wanted to create a fortune slip that would tell no good or bad luck, as many visitors would get excited or depressed about the results before even reading the fortune slips.
I drew it too! The one that came out was number 15. I wonder what words are written on it...
The fortune slip said, "But I still want to love you." Who exactly is this "you"?! I couldn't immediately think of the person the fortune slip pointed to, so the chief priest, Terauchi, spoke to me.
Priest Terauchi: "The partner doesn't have to be of the opposite sex. People close to you, like your parents or friends, or even things you cherish, like stuffed toys, are all objects of love."
What profound words...! It's true that things other than people are also important and can enrich our lives. One of the words on the fortune slip gave me an opportunity to reflect on my daily life.
There are many couples among the visitors, and some even come to announce their marriage after several years! If you're unsure about your love life, you'll want to visit this wonderful shrine.
love fortune at Nunose Shrine became famous overnight after a Google app commercial aired in 2017. The reaction was huge, with hundreds of visitors coming to worship even on weekdays. Recently, it has become increasingly popular on social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram, and the number of visitors continues to grow.
In addition to love fortune, there is another item that is attracting attention: amulets for success in love.
Among them, "Fukkatsu LOVE" has the same title as a song by the idol group Arashi, so Arashi fans from all over the country are expected to come!
There are other unique charms too! Nunose Shrine, famous among bicycle enthusiasts as a sacred place for bicycles, makes bicycle charms to pray for road safety.
In Matsubara City, there are more than 10 bicycle sharing ports, including within the grounds of Nunose Shrine, so you can get around the city by bicycle.
ao Shrine: Admire the 48 floral ceiling paintings
ao Shrine enshrines Sugawara no Michizane, the famous god of learning, in its main hall, and is said to grant academic success, fulfillment of wishes, and good health.
The highlight is the 48 floral designs painted on the ceiling of the main hall. They are said to date from the late Edo period, but the artist and the period of their creation are unknown.
Looking up at the flower ceiling in the tranquil grounds, I felt like time was passing slowly and I could forget the hustle and bustle of everyday life. I looked carefully at each plant from edge to edge, and was delighted to find a familiar plant. I was thrilled to see flowers and fruits I had never seen before. It was such a beautiful painting that I could gaze at it forever until my neck started to hurt.
The 48 types of plants painted on the flower ceiling also serve as fortune slips. Two of the 48 types are painted, so try drawing one and get excited to see what you get. Mine were Astragalus (raffaella) and Digitaria ciliaris. I had never heard of Digitaria ciliaris, but after researching, I found out it is a plant that is generally considered a weed. I want to live with the strength of a weed!
Within the grounds, there is a large camphor tree that is over 1,000 years old, and it is loved by locals as a power spot. There are three trees enshrined within the grounds, and it is recommended to visit them together with the main shrine.
The only one in Japan? Shibagaki Shrine, dedicated to the god of beautiful teeth
This historic shrine is said to be where Emperor Hanzei established his capital, Tajishibagakinomiya, in the area where Shibagaki Shrine is now located in the early 5th century. As you pass through the torii gate and head towards the main hall, you'll see a striking stone mask on your right! This is apparently the only toothbrush mask in Japan!
The shrine enshrines the god of teeth, named after Emperor Hanzei, who was born with beautiful teeth and was also known as Mizuhawake no Mikoto. Beautiful teeth are something women aspire to. Apparently, when everyone was wearing masks during the COVID-19 pandemic, the number of people getting their teeth straightened increased dramatically.
Actually, I am also undergoing mouthguard orthodontics. I have to pray to the shrine to have beautiful and strong teeth!
Touch the teeth on the mask with your fingertips and pray for healthy teeth.
Every year on August 8th, the Ha Shrine Festival is held, and at 8:08pm, 400 candles are lit in the shrine grounds, creating a magical world. The toothbrushing face lit up by candles... it looks a little scary, but I'd love to see it! It's also quite charming to visit the shrines in summer wearing a yukata.
The main shrine enshrines three deities: Emperor Hanzei, Sugawara no Michizane, and Yosaminosukune, and they are said to grant many blessings, such as safe childbirth, recovery from illness, safety for the home, longevity, business prosperity, and traffic safety, so it seems like any wish will come true! Why not express your gratitude along with your prayers?
Take a break between shrine visits! Enjoy a delicious meal in a stylish space
If you're exploring Matsubara on foot or by bicycle, be sure to stop by not only the shrine but also the delicious spots in the area. We'll introduce you to some relaxing restaurants near Kawachi Matsubara Station.
The chewy buckwheat galette is delicious!
French Restaurant BochiBochi
A restaurant where you can enjoy casual French cuisine, run by a chef from Matsubara.
The galette lunch, made with domestic buckwheat flour, is popular. The buckwheat flour is carefully sourced from a long-established buckwheat flour shop that has been in business for 150 years. The key to the deliciousness of the galette is to bake the dough thinly on a hot iron plate over a strong flame, resulting in a chewy yet crispy surface.
It's also great to be able to eat vegetables from Matsubara, which are procured once every two weeks from a farmer they know!
Relax from the bottom of your heart with aromatic coffee
coffee stand switch
Opened in April 2023, this shop offers the highest quality coffee from around the world.
There are over 10 types of coffee lined up on the counter, and you can sample each one to find your favorite. When you compare them, you'll be amazed at the difference in both taste and aroma!
It's also a great way to choose a treat for yourself or a gift for someone special while looking at the coffee bean cards handmade by the master. The master's recommendation is Ethiopia Natural, which has a distinctive tea-like aroma.
Experience the charm of Matsubara and feel recharged!
Matsubara is home to many unique shrines. It's no wonder you feel a sense of calmness in your heart as you come into contact with history and art.
We weren't able to introduce all the shrines on the Kaiun Matsubara Six Shrine Pilgrimage, but were we able to convey the highlights of each one? You can start your pilgrimage from any shrine!
You can visit them all in one day, or take your time over a few days. At the first shrine you visit, pay an offering of 800 yen and collect worship stamps on a votive tablet!
Please note that you will receive your zodiac papier-mâché from the first shrine you visit, not the last one you visit.
Matsubara is actually easily accessible and has a wide range of places, from historic locations to new, trendy spots, so why not come and visit?
You're sure to find your own power spot that will soothe your weary soul.
*This article was migrated from “Shittonka Osaka.” The information provided is current as of December 2023 and may differ from current conditions. Please check the official websites of each store or facility for the latest operating hours and details.
Photo：Yuto Yamamoto
Edit：Rie Tomimoto
Direction：NINGEN Editorial Department（NINGEN Inc.）
