Ataka Sumiyoshi-jinja Shrine, Ataka-no Seki Barrier 安宅住吉神社・安宅の関

Unique shrine dedicated to the deity of overcoming obstacles

Ataka Sumiyoshi-jinja is the only Shinto shrine in Japan dedicated to the guardian deity of overcoming obstacles. The shrine draws visitors seeking to prevail over challenges in business, studies, and daily life.

The shrine was first established in 782. It became linked to overcoming obstacles through a tale of the warrior monk Benkei (1155–1189) and his master, Minamoto no Yoshitsune (1159–1189). According to the story, immortalized in the Kabuki play Kanijincho, the pair were stopped by a guard at a nearby blockade but managed to pass through with clever deception. The shrine contains woodblock prints and embroidery depicting scenes from this story.