Wakae Kagami Shrine, Shinto shrine in Japan
Wakae Kagami Shrine is a Shinto shrine in Higashiōsaka marked by a traditional red gate at its entrance and featuring wooden buildings with curved roofs spread across roughly 2000 tsubo of land. A narrow wooden path leads through the grounds to the main hall, where visitors encounter stone lanterns, small statues, and an altar designed for offerings and written wishes.
First mentioned in written records from 854, the shrine has existed for over a thousand years as a place of worship and community gathering. It was officially designated as a Gō-sha, indicating a certain level of regional importance, before being reorganized along with other shrines in 1946 under national laws.
The name means 'young branch mirror' in Japanese, reflecting old stories about a sacred mirror once kept here believed to hold special powers. Today, visitors leave paper wishes and small tokens at the altar as a sign of hope, continuing a practice that connects them to centuries of worship at this place.
The shrine is open year-round and entry is free, with many visitors arriving in early morning or late afternoon to pray. It sits about a 15-minute walk from Wakae Iwata Station on the Kintetsu Nara Line and can easily be located using the address 2-3-9 Wakae Minamicho in Higashiosaka.
An old legend tells how fresh water appeared in a pool behind the shrine after someone recited a special sutra during a crop failure, saving the dying harvest through prayer. This story of salvation has been passed down by visitors over the centuries and makes the place a symbol of hope for rescue and protection.
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