Koromo Shrine

Koromo Shrine in central Toyota has played a significant role in the spiritual and social lives of residents for centuries. The shrine is believed to have been established in the twelfth century. It was patronized by the local daimyo lords and revered by their subjects throughout the Edo period (1603–1867). Though frequented by worshipers year round, it is busiest during the annual Koromo Festival, when giant floats are displayed on the shrine grounds and paraded through the city.

According to legend, Koromo Shrine’s predecessor was founded by a samurai who received word that his master had died while passing through the area. The warrior decided to relinquish his duties and live out his life in peace and quiet. He built a shrine to Mikumari, the goddess of water, because this deity was worshiped at his home in Yoshino (present-day Nara Prefecture) and because his new shrine stood next to a river. Throughout Japan, veneration of Mikumari was often complemented by worship of Komori, the guardian of children, perhaps because the two names sound somewhat similar. The shrine takes its name from the Koromo domain, the old name for Toyota and the rest of the eastern part of present-day Aichi Prefecture.

Koromo Shrine is still affiliated with the Komori deity and functions as a protector of children. Many people bring their children to the shrine for rituals such as miyamairi, a rite of passage for newborns, and shichi-go-san, a celebration of the growth and health of children aged three, five, and seven. In addition to the main shrine, there are sub-shrines for deities including Inari, the god of rice, agriculture, and prosperity; Tenjin, the patron of scholarship and the arts; and Akiba, the deity of fire.

The flamboyant Koromo Festival takes place at the shrine only once a year, on the third weekend of October, but there is a smaller monthly festival that originally celebrated Yakushi, the Buddha of medicine and healing. On the eighth day of the month, vendors dealing in potted plants, clothing, daily essentials, and food and drink set up more than 100 stalls on the shrine grounds.

Annual Events

Koromo Festival (Koromo Matsuri) (third Sunday of October and the Saturday before)

Ever year, the main festival is held on the third Sunday of the month, while a pre-event is held on the preceding Saturday. Highlights include watching dashi parade floats parade around town as confetti dances in the air, the shichido-mairi (a procession that passes the shrine 7 times), and the gathering of the dashi at the shrine. Carried on from the late Edo period to the present, this is one of the Mikawa area’s foremost festivals.

Grass Ring Purification Ritual (Chinowa-Kuguri) (July)

A traditional ritual called chinowa-kuguri (passing through a large ring made of woven grass) is performed. Chinowa-kuguri is a ritual to pray for the purification of body and spirit. Participants are blessed with a ceremonial instrument made from reeds, and legend says that those who pass through the ring of woven grass will be purified of sins and impurity from the past year, granting sound health for the year and a happy and healthy summer.

Basic Information

Address	〒471-0023 5-1 Koromo-cho, Toyota City
Fee	Free admission
Opening days / hours	Open all day
Holidays	Open every day
Access by Public Transportation	[From Nagoya] • From Higashiyama Subway Line Nagoya Sta., transfer at Fushimi Sta. to the Tsurumai Subway Line, then transfer to the Meitetsu Toyota Line at the shared Akaike Sta., alight at Meitetsu Toyota-shi Sta. and continue on foot for 10 min. • From Meitetsu Nagoya Sta., transfer at Chiryu Sta. to the Meitetsu Nagoya Main Line, alight at Meitetsu Toyota-shi Sta. and continue on foot for 10 min. • From JR Nagoya Station, transfer at Kozoji Sta. to the JR Chuo Main Line, alight at Aichi Loop Railway Shin-Toyota Sta. and continue on foot for 10 min.
Access by car	15 min. from the Tomei Expressway Toyota Interchange via National Route 155 and 153