Okazaki Shrine

On my only free day in Kyoto, I had to pay a visit to this Shinto shrine. Located on the eastern side of Kyoto, within the Sakyo Ward, I gathered a small party of students to join me on our first metro-bus trip across town to see this beautiful shrine in person. A tranquil blend of traditional Japanese spirituality and kawaii culture, this shrine is a popular destination for those seeking blessings of fertility and safe child birth. I discovered this hidden gem by chance as I researched some cute things to do in Kyoto.

The shrine is simple to get to from the bus (a 2 minute walk), but tucked away and pleasantly quiet. It was unlike any of the booming tourist destination shrines I had been to in prior days. Our tiny group ran into 2 separate groups: one with a child (as you can also pray for the health and safety of a little one) and another group whose prayers are only known to the rabbit spirits at the shrine. An elderly man did his rounds at the front of the shrine with a series of prayers and bowing, only to leave upon completion as if it was a daily routine— something he’d done seemingly a thousand times before and went about his business afterward.

I came for the bunnies, of course. The statues, the iconography, and so on— the design feels modern enough to appeal to someone curious or to draw people in, but the tradition is old and sacred. I appreciate the sacredness of this place, but observing left me admiring the people who visited, more than the shrine itself. Shrines are so public, and so well maintained. For people to have such great respect for their community and the resources it offers isn’t something we can openly see so often here in the States.

Walking into the shrine, bunnies watch you at every turn.

You can purchase a number of votive offerings or protective amulets at the gift shop. These little bunny votives are all over the shrine in every little nook and cranny. It’s adorable.

The atmosphere was so serine and peaceful. Early morning shrine visits are my favorite.

Birds of Japan

As an avid backyard birder, you better believe I wouldn’t pass up the opportunity to snap some feathered friends while abroad.
Waking up and hearing the jungle crows each morning was otherworldly to me. I’m going to out myself as a long time anime fan here, but the sounds of those birds is iconic across all genres.

Here are a few of a my favorite pictures I’ve collected from my SD card. Still sifting through all the images!

A Grey Heron! The students and I mistook it for a blue heron (and were confused by the sighting), but seeing the images I took it lacks the proper features: definitely a Grey Heron!

Japanese Cormorant: This guy hung around the entire time we were there. I got some great photos.

So majestic.

I wish I had gotten better photos of this guy. The only other time I’ve seen a Night Heron was in Chicago (where they thrive), so it was cool to see one here.

Shrine crows are far too comfortable with humans, haha.