This is the only shrine in Japan that is involved in hairdressing and beauty (cosmetics, hair washes, hair growth products, wigs, etc.). The deity is Masayuki Uneme no Sakuyo Fujiwara, who is said to be the founder of the hairdressing profession in Japan. He was a hair stylist who served the government and actually existed during the Kamakura period (1185-1333). In honor of his achievements, he was so revered by the hairdressing industry that until the beginning of the Showa period (1926-1989), barbers and hair stylists across Japan closed their offices on the 17th, the anniversary of his death, every month.
The method of worship at Gohage Shrine is different from the usual: visitors have their hair cut by a priest at the shrine office with special scissors, and offer a bag containing the hair as a “Gohage Offering”. The donated hair is then moved to a “hair mound” within the shrine grounds, where it is kept forever in a place where people continue to pray daily for the health of their hair.
| Address | 10-2 Saganokurayama Tabuchiyama-cho, Ukyo-ku, Kyoto, 616-8394, Japan |
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| Business hours | 10:00-15:00 |
| Fees | Free to visit the precincts of the temple |
