Chiyobo Inari Shrine, affectionately known as “Ochobo-san” or “Ochobo Inari,” is a popular shrine in the western Mino region of Gifu Prefecture and the Owari region of Aichi Prefecture. It is believed to bring good fortune in business prosperity and family safety. Many worshippers from within and beyond Gifu Prefecture visit the shrine, especially at New Year and at the end of each month.
Approximately 150 shops line the approach to the shrine, creating a lively atmosphere reminiscent of a traditional Japanese festival throughout the year. More than two million people visit annually. The shrine is particularly busy during Tsukigoshi-mairi, a special monthly pilgrimage held from the last night of the month into the morning of the first day of the following month, when many shops stay open throughout the night.
The main shrine building enshrines the shrine’s deities. Visitors traditionally offer fried tofu at the offering stand in front of the building and place a monetary offering in the offertory box. Worship follows the customary Shinto practice of bowing twice, clapping twice, and bowing once more.
In keeping with the teaching, “May the spirits of our ancestors be preserved for a thousand generations,” the shrine does not sell protective amulets or talismans. However, visitors can draw omikuji, or fortunes written on slips of paper.
Traditional offerings consist of fried tofu tied with rice straw and candles. These offerings reflect the shrine’s distinctive customs and its longstanding connection with Inari worship.
The origins of Chiyobo Inari Shrine date back to the Heian period (794–1185). According to tradition, Yoshitaka, the sixth son of the famous warrior Minamoto no Yoshiie, received a sacred sword and a portrait of his father when he established a separate family branch. Along with these items, he was given the words, “May the spirits of our ancestors be preserved for a thousand generations.” These words are said to have inspired the shrine’s name.
Later, during the Bunmei era (1469–1486) of the Muromachi period, a descendant named Mori Hakkai enshrined the ancestral deity at this location. The tradition has continued to the present day.
The shrine’s enshrined deities are Omiōya no Ōkami, Inari Ōkami, and Mioya no Kami. The shrine is widely worshipped for blessings related to business success, romantic relationships, and passing examinations.
The shopping street leading to the shrine stretches for approximately 700 meters, from the eastern entrance to the southern entrance. Around 150 shops line both sides of the route, selling freshwater fish dishes, pickles, kushikatsu (deep-fried skewered foods), kusa mochi (mugwort rice cakes), and other local specialties.
Because the shrine itself does not offer protective amulets or talismans for sale, many shops in the surrounding approach area sell traditional good-luck items. The street becomes especially crowded on weekends and public holidays.
During Tsukigoshi-mairi, held from the last night of each month until the morning of the first day of the next month, the area takes on the atmosphere of a lively night festival. Many shops remain open until morning, and visitors can enjoy shopping and sampling local foods late into the night.
The area’s signature foods include kusa mochi, freshwater fish dishes, kushikatsu, doteni, and pickles. Freshwater fish specialties include eel, catfish, sweet simmered moroko fish, and funa-miso, a traditional dish made with crucian carp and miso.
Kushikatsu and dote-kushi are among the best-known specialties of the shrine approach, where numerous shops serve these popular dishes. Visitors often eat standing at the storefronts, enjoying freshly fried skewers in the lively atmosphere.
Kushikatsu is commonly dipped into the rich, miso-based broth used to simmer doteni, a dish of ingredients slowly cooked in a savory miso sauce. This distinctive way of eating is part of the local food culture and a highlight of visiting Ochobo Inari.
Kusa mochi is a traditional Japanese rice cake made with fragrant mugwort. The generous amount of mugwort gives it a distinctive aroma and flavor, while its handmade preparation adds to its rustic appeal.
Moroko is a small freshwater fish traditionally prepared by simmering it slowly in a sweet and savory sauce. The resulting dish has a simple yet deep flavor and is valued as a traditional taste of the region.
Together, these local foods, the bustling shopping street, and the shrine’s distinctive customs make Chiyobo Inari Shrine an appealing destination for visitors interested in Japanese religious traditions and regional food culture.