Fujinomori Shrine

Fujinomori Shrine is a Shinto shrine in Fushimi Ward, Kyoto, and is widely known as a hydrangea (ajisai) viewing spot. Its origins are said to trace back to Empress Jingū, who raised a war banner, stored arms, and built a mound here for her expedition to the Korean Peninsula. The shrine originally enshrined seven deities, including Empress Jingū, but additional deities were successively enshrined during the Muromachi period, bringing the total to twelve. The area from Fujinomori to Fukakusa has been associated with aristocratic villas since the Heian period, and before World War II it was also home to Japan’s 16th Division. Closely linked with martial traditions, the shrine is revered as a "deity of warriors," and it is said that daimyo processions lowered their spears in respect when passing in front of the shrine. In modern times, it is also popular among horse racing fans as a shrine for victory luck and for blessings related to horses, drawing many worshippers. In early May, the Fujinomori Festival features a spirited warrior parade through the neighborhood, believed to be a root of the Boys’ Festival warrior-doll tradition. During the Hydrangea Festival in June, the approach is decorated in vivid purples and pinks, creating a particularly charming atmosphere. The shrine is about a 5-minute walk south from JR Fujinomori Station and is located near Kyoto University of Education.