Tenmangu Shrine, dedicated to Sugawara Michizane, the god of learning, is a must-see when talking about "oxen. Michizane was born in the year of the Ox and died on the day of the Ox. He was also said to have loved cows during his lifetime, and there are many anecdotes related to cows, such as "a cow decided his grave site" and "a cow protected Michizane from assassins", which led to the belief that cows were the messengers of God.

Kitano Tenmangu Shrine is the head shrine of about 12,000 Tenmangu shrines and Tenjinsha throughout Japan that worship Sugawara no Michizane as their deities. Many statues of cows are dedicated in the precincts of the shrine, and cows are also depicted on omikuji (written oracle) and ema (votive picture tablet).

In addition, a limited-time-only ema (votive tablet) displayed at the tower gate depicts a cow with a wish that visitors will be able to look upward in the year 2021, the year of the Ox. The ema will be on display until Monday, January 25, 2021, so be sure to check it out when you visit the shrine!

Sugawara-in Tenmangu Shrine is the sacred birthplace of Sugawara Michizane, who is very much associated with the Ox mentioned at the beginning of this article. It is also known as the home not only of Michizane, but also of his great-grandfather, Asaomi Kojin, his grandfather, Lord Seikou, and his father, Lord Korezen. Choose your favorite color from the colorful and lovely Oxen fortune.

Myojozan Mimuroto-ji Temple is famous for the poem "Yomogari Tsuki no Tsuki wo Mimurowakeyureba Uji no Kawase ni Tachi ha Shiranami," which was recited by Hōhō Hanayama over 1,000 years ago. The statue of a bull sitting in front of the main hall is named "Hosho-gyu," which is said to bring good luck when the bull strokes the stone ball in its mouth. Aim for good luck and a winning attitude with the white and red cow talismans associated with Hosho-gyu!