If Fushimi Inari Shrine is known for its thousands of red torii gates, the red tamagaki [fence of the shrine] in Kurumazaki-jinja Shrine distinguishes itself from other shrines. Fushimi Inari’s red torii gates inscribe the names of businesses, while Kurumazaki-jinja Shrine’s red tamagaki contains the names of people in the entertainment industry, hence it’s nickname, ‘Shrine for Entertainers’.
![Tamagaki [shrine fence]](https://i1.wp.com/japanreview.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/tamagaki.jpg?resize=747%2C560)
Geino-jinja Shrine
The sub-shrine of Kurumazaki-jinja called Geino-jinja Shrine is known to help people in entertainment professions. Located in Arashiyama, Kurumazaki-jinja is very near Toie Eigamura, also a film studio. So it is likely that the shrine gets many visitors of the entertainment professions. To tell the truth, I decided to visit the shrine for the same reason. I have a corporate job as a video producer but I want to make it as a film scriptwriter and create commercial films. There’s nothing wrong in wanting to be blessed by the almighty.
Curious visitors also come to the shrine to find famous names on the tamagaki and take souvenir photos. The souvenir shop where you buy omamori [Japanese lucky charms sold at religious places] feature some testimonials of entertainers whose wishes were granted. I both a yellow omamori that I still keep inside my wallet.
Tucked in a quite suburb of Arashiyama, the shrine itself has a very peaceful atmosphere. I found myself wandering between the red tamagaki, appreciating its beauty. This is a small shrine that can be explored in less than an hour. Although I stayed for much longer because I feel at ease with the place. It was also not crowded with only a couple of shrine visitors exploring the grounds with me. The Kyoto sun was also blaring hot so I wanted to spend some time in the shade. I highly recommended this shrine to getaway from the bustle of much popular bamboo forest or Togetsukyo bridge.
Getting to Kurumazaki-jinja is easy because it is serviced by a station in the Keifuku Randen tram line. The station is Kurumazaki-jinja on the Arashiyama line. From the train station, its a short walk to the main entrance of the shrine. There is no entrance fee and it’s open from 8:30am until 5:30am.
Address:
23 Sagaasahicho, Ukyō-ku, Kyoto city, Kyoto
京都府京都市右京区嵯峨朝日町23
Tel. No. 075-861-0039
Website: http://www.kurumazakijinja.or.jp/