Tucked across the road from Itakura's historic Raiden Shrine—a revered hub of ancient thunder worship—lies a delightful brass sculpture of Namazu-San resting comfortably on a cushion. In Japanese folklore, a giant subterranean catfish is thought to trigger tremors, but a clever linguistic pun links the word for earthquake (jishin) with self-confidence (jishin). For a small donation, visitors can take a handkerchief to rub the smiling fish, absorbing his auspicious mojo to take home. Guarded by vivid red thunder demons, this quirky stop offers an enchanting blend of mythology, wordplay, and good luck.
- Shrines & Temples
- Folklore & Mythology
- Statues & Monuments
- Quirky & Offbeat
- History & Culture
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