Main shrine to protect the 12 zodiac signs of Sendai | Main shrine to protect the zodiac signs of Tohoku: Miyagi Edition

Aoiwa
2023.12.31
Last updated: 2025.12.23

table of contents

1 Sendai Zodiac Guardian Deity Sacred Site
2 Tohoku Zodiac Guardian Deity Sacred Site

you know what sacred place

It is a pilgrimage route that involves visiting sacred sites and temples around Japan in order, and the nationally famous Shikoku 88 Temple Pilgrimage is also a pilgrimage route to the sacred sites known as Shikoku 88 Temple Pilgrimage

There are many sacred sites in the Tohoku region, but this time we will introduce sacred sites related to the zodiac in Miyagi Prefecture

Sendai Zodiac Guardian Deity Sacred Site

The Sendai Zodiac Guardian Deity Sacred Site is a sacred site for the Zodiac Guardian Deity in Sendai City, Miyagi Prefecture, and the Sendai Kedegagami Sacred Site . There are a total of 12 temples in Sendai City, but the most famous one is

[Child] ・Zenryoin Kannon Hall (Thousand-Armed Kannon)
[Ox] [Tiger] Kokuzodo Daimanji Temple (Kokuzo Bodhisattva)
[Rabbit] - Washizuyama Monjudo (Manjusri Bodhisattva)
[Dragon] [Snake] Atago Shrine (Samantabhadra Bodhisattva)
[Go] - Nijusanya Hall (Seishi Bodhisattva)
[Sheep] [Monkey] - Dainichi Hall (Mahavairocana Buddha)
[Rooster] - Mitakiyama Fudoin Temple (Acala)
[Dog] [Boar] - Osaki Hachiman Shrine (Amitabha Buddha)

This time, we will introduce all 12 temples, including shrines and temples other than those mentioned above

Year of the Rat: Zenryo Kannon Hall

Guardian deity: Thousand-Armed Kannon Bodhisattva
Sect:
Address: 1-1-67 Haramachi, Miyagino-ku, Sendai City, Miyagi Prefecture, 983-0841
Official URL: Sendai City website

Google Map

Year of the Ox and Tiger: Mount Kokuzo Daimanji Temple

Guardian deity: Kokuzo Bosatsu
Sect: Soto sect
Address: 4-4-1 Mukaiyama, Taihaku Ward, Sendai City, Miyagi Prefecture, 982-0841
Official URL: https://www.daimanji.or.jp/

Tohoku Rokken Trivia Media NEFT

Is the Thousand Buddhas at Daimanji Temple's Kokuzoson in Mukaiyama the origin of the name Sendai? [Miyagi Prefecture]

https://jp.neft.asia/archives/27976

On the way from central Sendai toward Nagamachi, Mount Atago is near Atagobashi Station on the Sendai Municipal Subway Namboku Line. While the area is famous for its Atago Shrine, just behind it is the Daimanji Temple and Kokuzoson. This site houses a thousand wooden Buddha statues, commonly known as Sentaibutsu (Thousand Buddhas), which are said to be the origin of the original name "Sendai" (Sentai). Overall view of Daimanji Temple: A Soto Zen temple founded by the Oshu Fujiwara clan. The temple gate of Daimanji Temple: Daimanji Temple is a Soto Zen temple founded by the Oshu Fujiwara clan. Its mountain name is Mount Kokuzo, and its principal deities are Shaka Nyorai and Kokuzo Bosatsu. The main temple gate of Daimanji Temple...

Year of the Rabbit: Washizuyama Monjudo

Guardian deity: Manjusri Bodhisattva
Sect: Soto sect
Address: 6-10-18 Yahata, Aoba-ku, Sendai City, Miyagi Prefecture, 980-0871

Tohoku Rokken Trivia Media NEFT

The zodiac sign for 2023 is "rabbit", and what is the "hemological god" zodiac belief unique to Sendai? [Sendai City, Miyagi Prefecture]

https://jp.neft.asia/archives/18994

In Sendai City, Miyagi Prefecture, there are 12 shrines and temples where the zodiac signs are enshrined, and the principal image of worship that corresponds to each zodiac sign is called ``Ketaikami, Kedegami-san.'' It has its own unique beliefs. Since ancient times, there has been a belief throughout Japan that worships the gods and Buddhas as ``guardian deities'' who protect people's lives. As time passed, the zodiac and the guardian deity were combined, and the faith spread to the common people during the Edo period. At this time, in Sendai Castle, it was called ``Gataishin,'' and the connection between shrines and temples and the zodiac led to people's faith. There is no difference between ``Gataishin'' and ``Morihonzon'', they are just different names...

Years of the Dragon and Snake: Atago Shrine

Guardian deity: Samantabhadra Bodhisattva
Sect: Shinto
Address: 4-17-1 Mukaiyama, Taihaku Ward, Sendai City, Miyagi Prefecture, 982-0841
Official URL: https://www.atago.org/

Tohoku Rokken Trivia Media NEFT

The main deity of the year of the Dragon and Snake enshrined in the god of fire! Atago Shrine (Sendai City) at Mt. Atago (Miyagi Prefecture)

https://jp.neft.asia/archives/28029

Atago Shrine, located in the southern part of the center of Sendai city and enshrined at the top of Mt. Atago, is a famous shrine that is famous as a night view spot because it offers a panoramic view of Sendai city across the Hirose River. It is said that there are about 1,000 shrines in 43 prefectures across the country that bear the name "Atago", but this article will focus on Atago Shrine, which is located in Mukoyama, Taihaku Ward, Sendai City, Miyagi Prefecture, and the Atago shrine that gave its name. This is an introduction to faith. What is Atago Shrine? Atago Shrine is located on the top of Mt. Atago, 75m above sea level, across the Hirose River, south of the center of Sendai City. The main deity enshrined in the main hall of Atago Shrine is Kagutsuchi, the god of fire. And Amaterasu Omikami (Amaterasu...

Year of the Horse: Kenshoin Temple, Nijusanya Hall

Kenshoin 23 Night Hall — The plaque of the Nijusanya Hall of Kensho-in Temple

Guardian deity: Bodhisattva Seishi
Sect: Tendai sect
Address: 7-11 Kitame-cho, Aoba-ku, Sendai City, Miyagi Prefecture, 980-0023

Google Map

Year of the Sheep and Monkey: Yanagimachi Dainichi Nyorai

Guardian deity: Dainichi Nyorai
Sect:
Address: 1-11-3 Ichibancho, Aoba-ku, Sendai City, Miyagi Prefecture, 980-0811

Google Map

Years of the Sheep and Monkey: Dainichi Hall of Tamachi Monjuin Temple

Guardian deity: Dainichi Nyorai
Sect:
Address: 2-10-25 Itsutsubashi, Aoba-ku, Sendai City, Miyagi Prefecture, 980-0022

Google Map

Years of Sheep and Monkey: Kankoin Temple, Dainichi Nyorai Hall

Guardian deity: Dainichi Nyorai
Sect: Tendai sect
Address: 4-5-2 Yahata, Aoba-ku, Sendai City, Miyagi Prefecture, 980-0871
Official URL: https://unshozan-kangyoin.amebaownd.com/

Google Map

Year of the Rooster: Mitakiyama Fudoin Temple

Guardian deity: Acala
Sect: Shingon sect Chizan sect
Address: 2-5-7 Chuo, Aoba-ku, Sendai City, Miyagi Prefecture, 980-0021
Official URL: https://www.mitakisan.com/

Google Map

Year of the Rooster: Sankyozawa Daisho Fudo Temple

Guardian deity: Acala
Sect:
Address: Aramaki Sankyozawa, Aoba Ward, Sendai City, Miyagi Prefecture, 980-0845
Official URL: https://new.ptu.jp/sankyozawafudou/index.htm

Google Map

Year of the Rooster: Nakayama Choryu Fudoson

Guardian deity: Acala
Sect:
Address: 6-19 Nakayama, Aoba-ku, Sendai City, Miyagi Prefecture, 981-0952

Google Map

Year of the Dog and Year of the Pig: Osaki Hachimangu Shrine

Guardian deity: Amida Buddha
Sect: Shinto
Address: 4-6-1 Yawata, Aoba-ku, Sendai, Miyagi 980-0871
Official URL: https://www.oosaki-hachiman.or.jp/

Tohoku Rokken Trivia Media NEFT

"Osaki Hachimangu Shrine" is a national treasure and a national treasure that is famous for its nude visits at Donto Festivals [Miyagi Prefecture]

https://jp.neft.asia/archives/204

Osaki Hachiman Shrine is a shrine located on the west side of Aoba Ward, Sendai City, Miyagi Prefecture, along Prefectural Route 31 (Sendai Murata Line) in Yawata, Aoba Ward, Sendai City, which is a designated city. The former status of the shrine was a village shrine, and the deities enshrined are Emperor Ojin, Emperor Chuai, and Empress Jingu, and the shrine is also famous for the Donto Festival at Osaki Hachimangu Shrine. https://jp.neft.asia/archives/1116The Momoyama-architected shrine Osaki Hachimangu Shrine, designated as a national treasure, is built by Sakanoue Tamuramaro, who was entrusted by the imperial court with the Ezo expedition in the Tohoku region during the Heian period, although the exact date of its construction is unknown. However, he summoned Hachiman, the god of war, from Usa Shrine in present-day Oita Prefecture, and worshiped Ezo...

Tohoku Zodiac Guardian Deity Sacred Site

Tohoku Rokken Trivia Media NEFT

Tsugaru Ichidai-sama | The main shrine of the Tohoku zodiac sign guardianship: Aomori edition

https://jp.neft.asia/archives/28083

Do you know what a “sacred place” is? It is a pilgrimage route that visits sacred sites and temples all over Japan in order, and the nationally famous Shikoku 88 Temples Tour is also a pilgrimage route to the ``Shikoku 88 Sacred Sites.'' There are various sacred sites in the Tohoku region, but this time we will introduce sacred sites related to the ``Zodiac'' in Aomori Prefecture. Tsugaru Ichidai-sama Zodiac Pilgrimage Sacred Site Tsugaru Ichidai-sama is a sacred place of the zodiac, centered around the former castle town of Hirosaki City, Aomori Prefecture, where you can visit the guardian deity of your year of birth. There are nine temples, but for some reason there are only two temples in the Year of the Rabbit. I mainly visit during New Year and Lunar New Year...

Tohoku Rokken Trivia Media NEFT

Main shrine to protect the 12 zodiac signs of Sendai | Main shrine to protect the zodiac signs of Tohoku: Miyagi Edition

https://jp.neft.asia/archives/28104

Have you ever heard of a sacred site? It's a pilgrimage route that involves visiting sacred sites and temples throughout Japan in order. The nationally famous Shikoku 88 Temple Pilgrimage is also part of the "Shikoku 88 Temple Pilgrimage" pilgrimage route. While there are many sacred sites in the Tohoku region, this time we'll introduce a sacred site related to the zodiac signs in Miyagi Prefecture. The Sendai Zodiac Guardian Deity Sacred Site, also known as the Sendai Kedegagami Sacred Site, is a sacred site dedicated to the guardian deity of the zodiac signs in Sendai City, Miyagi Prefecture. There are a total of 12 sacred sites within Sendai City, but the most famous are the Rat and Zenryoin Kannon Hall...

Tohoku Rokken Trivia Media NEFT

The main shrine of the zodiac guardianship of the Aizu zodiac guardianship of the Tohoku zodiac guardianship of the zodiac: Fukushima Edition

https://jp.neft.asia/archives/28094

Have you ever heard of a sacred site? It's a pilgrimage route that involves visiting sacred sites and temples throughout Japan in order. The nationally famous Shikoku 88 Temple Pilgrimage is also part of the "Shikoku 88 Temple Pilgrimage" pilgrimage route. While there are many sacred sites in the Tohoku region, this time we'll introduce a sacred site related to the zodiac in Fukushima Prefecture. Aizu Zodiac Guardian Deity Sacred Site: Aizu Zodiac Guardian Deity Sacred Site is a sacred site dedicated to the guardian deity of the zodiac in the Aizu region of Fukushima Prefecture. It features 15 temples and a mix of temples and shrines. While its activity as a sacred site appears to have ceased, the guardian deity still exists...

Aoiwa

Traveling around the Tohoku region, I enjoy drinking delicious sake and exploring the local history, traditions, and customs. I write articles based on my interests. I'm currently interested in folk performing arts, local toys, and folk beliefs.