Shrine · Murasakino / Kita Ward

Imamiya Shrine 今宮神社

A northern Kyoto neighbourhood shrine famous for its "tama-no-koshi" good-marriage blessings and the two rival aburi-mochi shops facing each other at its east gate, open for centuries.

About

Imamiya Jinja was founded in 994 to ward off epidemics, and later gained fame through Otama, a greengrocer's daughter from this area who became the mother of the fifth Tokugawa shogun; her rise gave rise to the expression "tama no koshi", marrying above one's station, so the shrine is popular for marriage and good fortune. The Ahokashi-san stone in the precinct is said to feel light if your wish will be granted after you pat it three times. Its spring Yasurai Matsuri, one of Kyoto's three oddest festivals, has red-haired demons dancing to drive away disease. At the east gate, two shops, Ichiwa (founded around 1000) and Kazariya, face each other selling aburi-mochi, small rice cakes grilled on bamboo skewers and dipped in sweet white miso, a centuries-old rivalry well loved by locals.

Highlights

• Aburi-mochi from Ichiwa, said to be Japan's oldest shop
• Ahokashi-san wish stone
• Tama-no-koshi marriage blessings
• Yasurai Matsuri in April
• Quiet neighbourhood atmosphere

Tips

• Ichiwa and Kazariya are both closed on Wednesdays; check before going for the mochi.
• Combine with Daitoku-ji, a 7-minute walk south.
• Arrive before noon on weekends to avoid the mochi queues.
• Free to visit.

Open in Google Maps · Info checked 2026-10-09

Nearby

• Aburi Mochi KazariyaCafé & Sweets · 10 m away
• Daitoku-ji and SubtemplesTemple · 430 m away
• Funaokayama ParkPark · 710 m away
• ROKU KYOTO, LXR Hotels & ResortsStay · 790 m away
• Omiya Kotsu ParkPark · 890 m away
• Funaoka OnsenOnsen & Sento · 990 m away
• Aman KyotoStay · 1.1 km away
• Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion)Temple · 1.4 km away