Foxes smile here. That’s unusual for an Inari Shrine. We’re standing before Kego Shrine in Fukuoka. It’s a serene escape in the busy Tenjin area.
Kego Shrine offers a unique spiritual space. Time slows down here. It’s a welcome break from the city’s hustle. This historic Shinto site dates back to the 5th century. It is dedicated to safe travels and prosperity. Locals and tourists both visit.
The shrine was supposedly erected in the year 200. It was built to show appreciation after Empress Jingu’s return to Japan. She had succeeded in making most of the Korean peninsula surrender.
The name “Kego” comes from the Heian period. Guards were placed in the village as a defense. This defense protected against foreign armies. The shrine was moved to its current spot in 1608.
Look at the stone plaque on the torii gate. Kuroda Nagamasa wrote the shrine’s name. He was the first lord of Fukuoka Domain.
Kego Shrine has unique ema plaques. Pilgrims get a secret yellow sticker when they buy one. Japanese people usually write personal details on ema plaques. This helps the gods know whose prayer it is. Kego Shrine protects personal information. It guards pilgrims against disasters.
Notice the Omamori Charms here. Instead of “Omamori” they say “Okamori”. Both are pronounced the same.
The shrine crest was redesigned in 2016. It now reinforces the benefits of worship. The word “Kogo” comes from the shrine’s name.
In front of the Haiden Hall is a sacred water fountain. The water from the tap is delicious. Not far away is a foot spa. If your feet are tired relax here. You can buy a towel at the shrine office. It costs 100 yen.
The Imai Inari Shrine is also on the grounds. The fox statues here are smiling. Most Inari Shrine foxes look serious. These foxes seem happy. One even shows its teeth. Pet them for good luck.
There’s a hole under the Inari Shrine’s worship hall. It is covered by a shrine structure. It is likely the entrance to a fox’s nest.
Long ago a tofu maker named Sobei worked hard. He offered deep-fried bean curd at the Inari Shrine daily. One day he saw a little fox. He gave it bean curd. The fox smiled at Sobei.
A samurai saw this. His daughter wouldn’t smile. He bought bean curd from Sobei. The daughter smiled because it was delicious. Sobei’s business became successful. The smiling fox became a symbol of good luck.
Kego Shrine is open from 6:30 am to 6 pm. The shrine office is open from 9 am to 4:30 pm. The shrine is a short walk from Tenjin Station.
Remember the smiling foxes of Kego Shrine. May their good fortune follow you always.