Usagi Omikuji, a rabbit shrine in Nanto, Toyama [Takase Jinja] Usagi Omikuji with Inami carving

  • Toyama
  • Sightseeing
Takase Shrine is located in Nanto City, Toyama Prefecture. The shrine is said to be about 2,000 years old, and has long been worshipped by people as the first shrine in Ecchu. The main deity is Okuninushi no Mikoto, known as the god of good fortune and matchmaking, making it a popular power spot for matchmaking and a place to hold Shinto ceremonies, but it is also a shrine associated with "rabbits!
Echu Ichinomiya Takase Shrine

Okuninushi no Mikoto and the White Hare of Inaba

Speaking of Okuninushi no Mikoto (Okuninushi-sama), he is said to be the kind-hearted god who saved a "hare" that was injured by lying and offending a shark in the Japanese myth "The White Hare of Inaba" and taught it how to heal its injuries and reformed it. In honor of this myth, a bronze statue of "Nade-Usagi" was placed in front of the worship hall of Takase Shrine in the hope that the divine virtues of Okuni-sama would be widely received by visitors to the shrine. It is said that if you stroke the same part of the body that you wish to be healed while praying, you will receive blessings. The staff members of the Hokuriku News Department have been stroking the head of the Nade-Usagi every time they come to the shrine for Hatsumode (New Year's visit), and since it was the smoothest part of the statue, I guess the head and face areas are the most popular. I think so.
Nade-usagi" (rabbit), which is good for petting the place you want to heal or improve (photo taken in 2023)
Until last year, the statue was covered with a transparent acrylic case to protect it from the new coronavirus, but in 2024, visitors will be able to pet it directly.

The best time to visit Takase Shrine is on "Rabbit Day!

The year 2023 was the year of the Rabbit, and it was the year of the "Rabbit Year Mairi," a once-every-12-years event to pray at the shrine in the "Year of the Rabbit. Streamers were set up on the temple grounds, and limited-edition red seals were also available. The next Year of the Rabbit will be 11 years from now, and there will be a limited number of red seals for "Rabbit Day. Since the "Day of the Rabbit" occurs several times a month, it seems easy to try the "Rabbit Day Mairi". There are also many rabbit good luck charms available, so why not visit if you are a rabbit lover?

Rabbit omikuji made by Inami sculpture

Usagi fortune slip
Takase Shrine has a wooden rabbit omikuji (fortune) made by craftsmen of Iba Carving. A wooden ball (kodama) the size of a thumb is engraved with 20 different patterns, including the rabbit pattern also used in Iba carvings, and the message on the omikuji varies depending on the pattern. The rabbit fortune can be carried as a good-luck charm in a "shikekin" bag made in the Johata area of Nanto City.
The amulet for marriage is also a "rabbit" motif!
For the official website of Echu Ichinomiya Takase Shrine, please visit
JR East View Dynamic Rail Package" for train + accommodation in Toyama area.
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