Nishiki Tenmangū was founded in 1003, but it was originally located at Sugawara-in, the birthplace of Sugawara no Michizane, the mortal man who was deified as the kami Tenjin. At the eastern end of everyone’s favorite Nishiki Market stands Nishiki Tenmangū, a Shinto shrine dedicated to the deity Tenjin. Despite its small size, Nishiki Tenmangū sees a lot of foot traffic from the many people who come to sample the local cuisine and shopping in Nishiki Market, and it is considered one of the preeminent Tenjin shrines. Easily spotted by the many softly glowing lanterns hung at the entrance, Nishiki Tenmangū’s cozy grounds contain a natural spring, some nostalgic fortune-telling, a statue of Tenjin’s divine messenger, and a sanctuary dedicated to Tenjin himself.
