Shikiji Shrine

Shikiji Shrine, known as Wara Tenjin-gu, is an ancient sanctuary dedicated to safe childbirth, gracefully enshrined in Kyoto's Kita Ward. It is believed that wishes wrapped in straw ascend to the heavens, protecting mothers and ensuring the safe passage of newborns—a tradition that has drawn countless expectant mothers seeking divine blessing. True to its name, the ritual of wrapping straw wishes against the skin remains a living practice rooted in ancient folk devotion. In Kinugasa's sacred precinct, the blessings of safe childbirth continue to fall as a gentle rain upon all who seek them, and Wara Tenjin continues its eternal vigil until the blessed moment of new life's arrival.