Yakumo Shrine, the Shrine to Prevent Sickness

In the year of 869, Kyoto was hit by an epidemic disease. In the hope of stopping the epidemy, a mikoshi parade was organized at the Yasaka Shrine (which at the time was called Gion-sha). Shortly after the parade the epidemy stopped and this was the beginning of one the most beautiful festivals from Japan, the Gion matsuri, which takes place every year in July.

200 years later, another epidemic hit Kamakura. Remembering the story from Kyoto, the samurai Yoshimitsu Minamoto asked for permission to build in Kamakura a subsidiary of the Gion-sha, the Kamakura Gion-sha. Since the epidemic began to fade shortly after the new shrine was finished, the Kamakura Gion-sha - named today Yakumo Shrine - remained known as the shrine to prevent sickness.

Travel Tip: A festival takes place since 1349 at the Kamakura Yakumo Shrine, starting on the second Saturday of July and continuing for three days. However, since many festivals were cancelled in Japan this year, check if the festival will take place before programming your trip.