Yasaka Koshindo

Yasaka Koshindo（八坂庚申堂） is one of the three major koshindo in Japan, along with Osaka Shitennoji Koshindo and Tokyo Iriya Koshindo (no longer in existence).The principal deity is the Blue-Faced Vajra Child. Blue-faced Vajra is said to become Yasya (the demon god of ancient Indian mythology) and eat bad people.

Yasaka Koshindo is famous for its “Kukuri Saroo,” in which wishes are written and dedicated like ema (votive img-responsiveure tablet). The kukuri monkey represents a monkey that is stuck in the hands and feet and is believed to control people’s minds (desires) so that their wishes will come true.

It is popular among women as a place to pray for good luck in marriage (monkey tying) and as a spot for Instagram photos. There is also a prayed-for good-luck charm of a “tying monkey”.

To get to Yasaka Koshindo from Kyoto Station, take a bus for about 13 minutes and walk about 5 minutes from the bus stop.