Imamiya-jinja Shrine

This shrine houses the three gods Onamuchi (a god who ruled over earthly lands ), Kotoshironushi (a god of oracles ), and Kushiinada-Hime (a goddess of farming ), who are popular as gods of healing illnesses. To the west of the main shrine is an auxiliary shrine (sessha: a shrine which houses gods closely related to the gods of the main shrine) , Ekijinja, which houses Susano’o (a god whose actions can cause illness to arise and disappear), believed to have the power to quell gods of pestilence, and which actually predates the main shrine.
Emperor Ichijo initially enshrined the god of pestilence on the top of Mt. Funaoka in 994 to pray for relief from an epidemic, holding a goryo-e, or meeting to placate evil spirits . In 1001, a shrine for the three gods was built at the present site, and another goryo-e was held. The name “Imamiya” means “Current Shrine,” and comes from this new shrine.
The current main shrine and Ekijinja buildings were rebuilt in the Meiji period (1868-1912).
The Yasurai Festival is held on the second Sunday in April, when the cherry blossoms are in bloom. This festival celebrates the end of the epidemic, and is considered one of Kyoto’s most unique festivals.
Kyoto City