From Ginza Nightlife to Shinto Priesthood: Yoko Murayama's Remarkable Journey

Yoko Murayama from Minato Ward, Tokyo, has been appointed chief priestess of Komagata Oshige Shrine in Nara Prefecture. The Shinto shrine is located at the foot of Mount Katsuragi in Gose City, an area steeped in mythology. Her appointment was officially reported to the shrine deities at a ceremony on July 14.

Murayama has a compelling story to tell. She previously owned a business in Dubai and managed a hostess club in Tokyo's Ginza district until two years ago. A hostess club in Japan is a type of nightclub that caters to male customers.

Now, as a chief priestess, she hopes to "serve the kami [Shinto deities] and bring vitality to the community through festivals and other activities."

Born in Matsumoto City, Nagano Prefecture, Murayama's childhood was tumultuous and marked by frequent moves. Her father passed away while she was in elementary school, prompting the family to move to Nara Prefecture to seek support from her mother’s sister. 

To help her mother raise her younger siblings, Murayama took on part-time work while continuing her studies. After the family relocated to Osaka City, Murayama worked at a hostess club in the Kitashinchi district. Reflecting on this period, she says, "Providing for my family was a source of emotional support and my purpose in life."

Following her marriage, she moved to Dubai, where she ran a used car sales company. Although she struggled with depression for over ten years, likely due to the stress of her demanding lifestyle, she eventually overcame it. In 2015, upon returning to Japan, she realized her long-held dream of opening a hostess club in Ginza.

Drawn to Ise Jingu

Murayama's interest in Shinto began in 2013 when she visited the Ise Jingu shrine in Mie Prefecture, just after the Shikinen Sengu — a ritual held every 20 years to rebuild the shrine pavilions. Standing on the newly purified grounds, she recalls how it felt "like a place where you could feel the presence of the kami."

Later, she attended a special seminar to observe the Kannamesai, the most ancient ritual at Ise Jingu. Amidst the darkness and silence of the night, the only sounds were the crackling of torches and footsteps in sync with the beat of taiko drums. She describes the experience as "witnessing 2,000 years of history and tradition unfolding before my eyes." Overwhelmed with emotion, she was moved to tears and felt an immediate connection to Shinto.

After opening her club in Ginza, she discovered that some of her customers were taking shrine exams. This inspired her to do the same. Determined, she enrolled at Kokugakuin University, where she studied the Daijosai, a grand thanksgiving ceremony performed by the Emperor following his enthronement. She eventually obtained her qualifications as a Shinto priestess.

No Regrets

Murayama's Ginza club closed in December 2022 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. By that time, she was already working as a priestess at a shrine in Ibaraki Prefecture. Looking back, she says: "My heart was inclined towards shrines, so I felt refreshed. I had no regrets."

In April 2024, she was appointed chief priestess of Komagata Oshige Shrine. Located near the Katsuragi Kodo Path, this historic shrine worships the deity Komagata and the Heian-period scholar Shigeno no Sadanushi.

Serving the Community

Murayama succeeded the previous chief priest, who was elderly and serving at multiple shrines. She explains, "After visiting several times, I was captivated by the beautiful views, including the sight of the Yamato Sanzan mountains."

Returning to Nara, where she spent her childhood, Murayama transitions from business management and running a hostess club to a completely different world.

"I'm grateful for the opportunity to serve the deities here," she says with renewed determination. "I want to make this a place where parishioners and locals can gather together and also collaborate with other shrines."

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(Read the article in Japanese.)

Author: Toshikazu Iwaguchi, The Sankei Shimbun