knemo

Hello!

I remember reading about a shrine/temple in Tokyo or Kyoto that couples went to to pray for healthy pregnancy, fertility, etc. I'd like to stop by, but I cannot find the information anywhere anymore!

Does anyone have any idea?

Thanks!

kappa1

Hmmmm, there are so many of them both in tokyo and kyoto (and all over Japan for that matter). I cannot tell any particular one because I myself has never really paid attention. I googled and there even are lists of such shrines but they are in Japanese so no use unless you read Japanese. I could give you some names. e.g. Suitengu shirines are usually for healthy/safe pregnancy/birth.

kappa1

Suitengu shirine in Nihon-Bashi (close to Ginza), Tokyo is one.
http://www.kaiun-goriyaku.com/13j-039.htm

And this, a well known one in Kyoto. Jishu Jinja (shrine) in the domaine of Kiyomizu-Dera (temple). I knew this shrine mostly for match-making, but it is actually listed for pregnancy/birth too. If you are visiting Kyoto, I'm sure you will visit Kyomizu-dera with it's "stage", won't you? Then you can visit Jishu-Jinja at the same time.

LMGSONIC

There is a Suitengu shrine located near the Suitengu-mae subway station in Tokyo. The web site seems to be only in Japanese: http://www.suitengu.or.jp/index.html

I am considering dragging my husband there for a brief stop next month.

LMGSONIC

Oops, Kappa1 beat me! We're already planning to go to Jishu Jinja at Kiyomizu-dera, so we're set! Neat.

kappa1

LMG provided an interesting site above.

On its pages, go to :
http://www.suitengu.or.jp/map/kappa.html
Kappa ( a rather cute water "monster") with a baby.

Statue of a mother dog with a baby
http://www.suitengu.or.jp/map/kodakarainu.html
The mother is surrounded by 12 animals of the Chinese calendar. Rub on yours for a good luck. You need to know what anmal is yours.

Of course these two have nothing to do with ancient and traditional shintoism. They were added later. People visit them just for fun.

WillJame

The one that comes immediately to mind is Nakayama-dera neat Takarazuka, accessible by Hankyu train from Osaka Umeda station. It's probably the best-known temple in Japan for safe delivery and childbirth. You see many pregnant women there, purchasing the hara-obi to ensure that all goes well. And families with children go there to offer thanks afterwards. It's a very impressive temple in its own right, and is included in the Saikoku or Kannon pilgrimage of 33 temples in western Japan.