The Monkey at Hiyoshi Shrine Is Wearing a Mask [Ashiya Photo]

The monkey statues on the grounds of Hiyoshi Shrine in Tsuchi-cho were wearing handmade-looking masks.

The stone monkey statues stand on either side of the main shrine building.

The monkey on the right,

and the monkey on the left are wearing matching masks.

They’re light yellow-green cloth masks with white numbers on them. The size fits perfectly, and they really do look handmade!

Hand sanitizer had also been placed on the offering box in front of the main shrine building.

At Hiyoshi Shrine, monkeys are said to be regarded as messengers of the gods.

With the monkeys properly wearing masks too, it feels like they’re all ready to welcome worshippers!

Here it is on the map↓

The address is 6-9 Tsuchi-cho, Ashiya City, Hyogo Prefecture.