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The Three Great Tenmangū Shrines of Kantō! East Japan's Oldest Tenmangū Shrine, Yaho Tenmangū
About a 5-minute walk from JR Nambu Line Yabo Station in Kunitachi City stands Yabo Tenmangu Shrine, one of the three major Tenmangu shrines in the Kanto region, founded in 903. Incidentally, the other two are Kameido Tenjin Shrine and Yushima Tenmangu. I didn't know this until recently, but "Tenmangu" is the collective name for shrines dedicated to Sugawara no Michizane, the god of learning. There are apparently about 12,000 such shrines nationwide – the reverence for Lord Michizane is truly immense. As for Yabo Tenmangu, it's quite spacious with many structures, making it a very enjoyable shrine. In early spring, its abundant plum blossoms are a major attraction. While it likely gets crowded around New Year's, it generally gives the impression of a pleasant shrine where you can relax quietly.
