About
Passing through the tranquil residential streets of Kamakura and climbing a gentle slope, Ryuguchi Myojin Shrine appears, surrounded by lush green trees. It is said that this shrine was founded in the 13th year of Emperor Kinmei’s reign (552 AD) and is known as the oldest shrine in Kamakura. Upon entering the precincts, the first thing that catches the eye is the powerful bronze statue of a dragon with five heads. This Five-Headed Dragon Deity is said to have once lived in the lake at Fukazawa and tormented the villagers, but, moved by the beauty of Benzaiten who descended upon Enoshima, it repented and became a deity protecting the people.
Within the grounds, a sacred tabunoki tree, said to be several hundred years old, stands tall. Standing at its roots, one can feel a silence and strength as if sensing the heartbeat of the earth. This tree has long been regarded as a symbol of vitality, and many worshippers have touched it and offered prayers.
The approach to the main hall is adorned with seasonal flowers; in spring, cherry blossoms flutter, and in autumn, the precincts are dyed with autumn leaves. Each time you pass through a torii gate, you are enveloped in a feeling as if your heart is being purified. At the back of the main hall, Tamayorihime-no-Mikoto is enshrined, and she is worshipped as a deity of matchmaking, conception, and safe childbirth.
Every October, the annual grand festival is held, during which the great portable shrine is carried in procession. This festival is one of the most important events of the year for the local people, and rituals are performed to honor the divine virtues of the Five-Headed Dragon Deity and Tamayorihime-no-Mikoto. In addition, during the once-in-sixty-years Kanreki Year of the Snake Grand Festival, a special ceremony is held in which the sacred body of the Five-Headed Dragon Deity is carried by portable shrine to Enoshima and displayed together with Enoshima Benzaiten.
Ryuguchi Myojin Shrine is also known as a “married couple shrine” together with Enoshima’s Enoshima Shrine. Based on the legend of the Five-Headed Dragon Deity and Benzaiten, it is said that visiting both shrines brings even greater blessings for matchmaking. For this reason, many couples and married people visit, and touring both shrines becomes a journey to deepen love and bonds.
Visiting this place, you are enveloped in a mysterious sensation where ancient legends and the present intersect. The chirping of birds echoing in the silence, the rustling of the trees, and the sound of waves heard in the distance calm the heart and make you forget the bustle of everyday life. Ryuguchi Myojin Shrine is not just a tourist spot, but a special place that lets you feel something deep within your heart.