Yasaka Kōshin-dō Temple — Attraction in Kyoto

"The truth is in the mystery." - Akira Kurosawa

Yasaka Kōshin-dō was not on my must do Kyōtō list. In fact, I didn't even know about this wonderful small Temple until serendipity brought us here. After tea and cloud cakes nearby my Sensei and I were headed back to Gion when Yasaka Kōshin-dō caught our eye.

One must realize that ancient Kyōtō has over 3,000 Shrines and Temples to understand why some can get overlooked or simply confused with another. I mean anyone who knows some Japan history will know of the famous Yasaka shrine near the Pagoda. Yasaka Kōshin-dō just happened and that's the joy of Kyōtō!

What makes Yasaka Kōshin-dō most fascinating is it's like it was specially made for Instagram, TikTok, or SNS in modern times! The bright colors and whimsical aura draws one in. And then you see the Monkeys lol.

This unique Temple is dedicated to Kōshin-san (庚申さん) a nickname of its main worship object Shōmen Kongō (青面金剛), a blue, guardian warrior and to the "three wise monkeys". They represent the Kōshin faith. A Buddhist belief in rewarding those with good hearts and punishing those with bad. So yeah lol.

Yasaka Kōshin-dō has a unique way to worship. Worshippers write their wish on a colorful ball called "kukurizaru" and hang them at the site. Kukurizaru is the round, ball shaped talisman made of cloth, representing the good faith monkeys. It is believed that if you give up with one of your greeds, one of your wishes may come true. Come with open heart.

So of course I entered the Temple with an open heart. Although our visit was brief, as we had so much to do in Kyōtō, I am glad we stopped for just a few minutes. I enjoyed the whimsical aura and how many there were young and vibrant. Though it it listed as Buddhist, this one-of-a-kind Temple also has a hybrid of Shinto and Taoist beliefs. Another fascinating tidbit is that how it appeals to the next generation yet the main Temple itself dates to the Heian era 794-1185 AD!

In the end, I highly recommend a visit to Yasaka Kōshin-dō if in Kyōtō. It's on a side street just a stroll from the more famous Kyōtō Temples in Gion and Higashiyama-ku. Such a good feel here, in fact a Temple that actually encourages photos and selfies! You don't have to be devout, just be respectful. No wonder it's such a hit with the young Japanese 愛

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While doing research on which places to visit during our 2nd Kyoto sojourn, this one piqued my curiosity as it’s nicknamed the “pompom temple.”

Its official name is Yasaka Koshindo Temple, located in Higashiyama area and close to the famous Kiyomizu dera temple.

So why “pompom”?

Because visitors write their wish on colourful balls called “kukurizaru” and hang them at designated areas around the small temple.

Kukurizaru is the ball- shaped talisman made of cloth, which represents the good faith monkeys. An ancient belief is that if you give up one of your greeds, one of your wishes may come true.

The best known divine favour of this temple is for love wishes. Indeed, as I scoured the multitude of hanging kukurizaru, I happened to stumble upon some in English… expressing hopes for eternal love and happiness.

HOWEVER..

“The course of true love never did run...

They don’t call Kyoto a city of a thousand shrines for no reason. Just before Hokanji, there’s another temple called Yasaka Koshindo, marked by its colourful red temple gate. I’m not sure why, but everytime a bright red or orange gate appears, it stands out so vividly, like a pop of colour in rustic surroundings. Inside Yasaka Koshindo you’ll little coloured talisman in the shaped of little balls being hanged. These are called Kukurizaru, which in Japanese belief represents a monkey bound feet and hands which signify the control of the playful and desires of the monkey inside all of us. I’m super surprised that these monkeys, 🙈🙉🙊 actually is part of the old tradition of this belief. Who...