Yasui Konpira Shrine

Yasui Konpiragu Shrine is a shrine in Kyoto’s Higashiyama area famous for "cutting ties" and "forming ties," especially for ending harmful relationships and attracting good ones. It began in the era of Emperor Tenji, when Fujiwara no Kamatari founded the site, planted wisteria, and called it Fuji-dera. Later, Emperor Sutoku was particularly fond of the wisteria, and when he passed away, Awa no Naishi enshrined his self-portrait in the temple’s Kannon Hall. In 1695 (Genroku 8), Rengeko-in, which had been located in Uzumasa Yasui, was moved here, and the shrine came to be known as "Yasui no Konpira-san." It is widely known for divine benefits said to cut all bad ties and form good ties, and many young women visit to pray here. The Enkiri-Enmusubi Stone is a massive ema-shaped rock measuring about 1.5 meters high and 3 meters wide, and it is believed that the deity’s power flows through a crack in the center into a circular hole. The prayer method is as follows: first worship at the main sanctuary, then write your wish on a "katashiro" paper talisman. Holding the katashiro and focusing on your wish, pass through the hole from the front to the back to cut bad ties, then pass from the back to the front to form good ties. Yasui Konpiragu is located near the southern end of Hanamikoji Street, a famous photo spot.