Egara Tenjin Shrine

Established in 1104, this red-lacquered shrine honors the patron of scholarship and academics, Michizane Sugawara (better known by his divine name, "Tenjin"). Students visit to petition for good luck in entrance exams by writing their universities of choice on a vocative tablet (an ema). In addition to the ubiquitous torii gate, nature herself has provided a lovely gateway to the shrine--formed by a pair of nettle trees and a magnificent ancient ginkgo tree.