I love to check in at the lesser-known attractions in Kyoto

I recommend a hidden gem in Kyoto that is rarely visited by tourists but has a long history - the Mikami Shrine ⛩️ The main deity worshipped here is Empress Jingu, the consort of the 14th Emperor, Emperor Chuai, and the mother of the 15th Emperor, Emperor Ojin. It is said that even though Empress Jingu was pregnant, she led a campaign to the Korean Peninsula, subduing the three kingdoms of Silla, Baekje, and Goguryeo. After returning in peace, she gave birth to Emperor Ojin. Because of her efforts in raising her child, she is deeply respected by the Japanese as the deity of safe childbirth and child-rearing, becoming Japan's foremost guardian deity of childbirth. The exact founding date of the shrine is unknown, but according to the origin story of Mikami Shrine, on September 9th of the 4th year of the Jogan era (862), a miraculous 'fragrant' spring water emerged within the precincts of the shrine, and the name Mikami was bestowed by Emperor Seiwa. However, according to the chronicles of Kashiimiyake (stored in Kashiimiyake), in the 14th year of the Hirohito era (823), a divine oracle from Empress Jingu led to the construction of a palace at this site and the planting of chinquapin trees. During the Muromachi period, this place was the spiritual center of the 'united hearts' of the villagers of the Fushimi Ku-no-Kuni. In the 18th year of the Tensho era (1590), after the destruction of the Hojo clan of Odawara and the unification of the country by Toyotomi Hideyoshi, he prayed for victory at this shrine, offering a sword (an important cultural property) and a written prayer, and donated 300 koku of shrine land. In the 3rd year of the Bunroku era (1594), Hideyoshi, while building Fushimi Castle, invited the deity to the castle as a guardian against evil spirits from the northeast corner. In the 10th year of the Keicho era (1605), Tokugawa Ieyasu restored the shrine land to its original location and built the main hall, donating another 300 koku of land from Hideyoshi. In the 8th year of the Genna era (1622), before the abandonment of Fushimi Castle, the first Tokugawa of Mito, Tokugawa Yorifusa, took over the Otemon gate of Fushimi Castle and donated it as the main gate of the shrine. In the 2nd year of the Kanei era (1625), the shrine's 'Worship Hall South Gate' and other splendid carvings from Fushimi Castle are recorded in the fifth volume of the Miyako Meisho Zue. There is also a legend that the worship hall was built by the first Tokugawa Yorinobu of the Kishu Tokugawa family. In January of the 4th year of the Keio era (1868), during the Battle of Toba-Fushimi, the Fushimi Magistrate's office was stationed by the old shogunate army, and the shrine served as a base for the new government army (Satsuma clan), sparing it from the ravages of war. From these introductions from the shrine's website, one can clearly understand its significance in Japanese history. In the early summer, visiting this place and walking through the shrine while viewing the architectural art from different eras allows one to feel the traces of history. As someone who loves protective charms, I couldn't resist getting charms for good luck and warding off evil for my friends, my younger brother, and myself. 📍Address: 174 Monzencho, Fushimi Ward, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture 🚃Transport: 4 minutes walk from Fushimi Momoyama Station on the Keihan Main Line 2 minutes walk from Momoyama Goryo-mae Station on the Kintetsu Kyoto Line