Ishikiri

Between ”Ishikiri Station” on the Kintetsu Nara Line (located in 2-chome, Kamishikiri, Higashiosaka City) and ”Shin-Ishikiri Station” in Nishishikiri-cho, there are many attractions such as Ishikiri Tsurugiya Shrine (Ishikiri Tsurugiya Jinja), the Ishikiri Sando Shopping Street, and Senshuji Temple. Owing to its popularity, the area is sometimes called “Sugamo of the East, Ishikiri of the West.” Affectionately known as “Ishikiri-san,” Ishikiri Tsurugiya Shrine is famous for prayers for healing tumors and other ailments. The shrine enshrines Nigihayahi-no-Mikoto and his child Umashimade-no-Mikoto, and its “ohyakudo-mairi” (a type of repeated prayer pilgrimage) is well known nationwide. Ohyakudo-mairi refers to making 100 visits around the shrine precincts while praying for a wish. The shrine’s history is said to be extremely old, with a traditional founding date of 659 BCE, and it is also listed in the Engishiki Jinmyocho. The precincts become especially lively during the Autumn Grand Festival (October 21–22), which expresses joy and gratitude for a good harvest, and the Summer Grand Festival (August 3–4), which prays for protection from illness. Nearby, the Ishikiri Sando Shopping Street is lined with fortune-telling shops as well as eateries and stores selling items such as yomogi udon and akashiyaki.