Shikichi-jinja, Shinto shrine in Japan
Shikichi-jinja, also known as Wara Tenjin, is a small Shinto shrine in Kita-ku dedicated to a goddess associated with safe childbirth. The shrine features a simple wooden main hall with a traditional torii gate at the entrance, and a secondary shrine called Rokusho Inari-jinja serves students seeking exam success.
The shrine was founded around 831 to honor a birth goddess and was originally located in Kinugasa-mura Village. When Kitayama-dono Palace was built in 1397, the shrine was relocated to its current site to make it more accessible to worshippers.
The name Wara Tenjin refers to straw charms linked to safe childbirth and family protection. Visitors can observe people leaving small offerings and praying quietly, expressing hopes for healthy pregnancies and the wellbeing of their children.
The shrine is about a ten-minute walk from Kinkaku-ji Temple and can easily be included in a walking route through the area. Visitors should wear respectful clothing and understand that this is an active place of worship where quiet prayers are the norm.
The shrine has an unusual connection to an ice house built in 831 that preceded the formal temple establishment. This distinctive link to ice production adds an unexpected historical layer to a shrine primarily known for childbirth blessings.
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