Makata Shrine 麻賀多神社

Ancient shrine blesses hemp harvest

The more I learn about Sakura City, the more interesting it gets. The city is one of Chiba Prefecture's four Hokuso (northern region) cities with Edo-era heritage. Makata Shrine is part of this heritage and it is where the community gave thanks for the hemp harvests. The name alludes to hemp production, too. Sakura City starts its three-day autumn festival here in October. It's quite an active shrine and there was a beautiful display of flowers on the basin where you wash your hands. The deities here are Ebisu and Fukurokuju and you get your fortune in a paper fish talisman.