“Nishitsu Detective” is a series where Nishitsu writers look into Nishinomiya’s little mysteries and questions and turn them into articles.
We received a tip from Niko, one of Nishitsu’s great senior contributors, saying they had found “rabbit” bollards along the road leading to Koshikiiwa Shrine, so we went to take a look.
This article is brought to you by “chotto,” a smoothie specialty shop that supports Nishitsu.
It really is a “rabbit”…!
There are 13 rabbits in total, standing at roughly 50-meter intervals all the way to the area in front of Koshikiiwa Shrine. (One of them had lost an ear. Sob.)
↓ Approximate locations of the rabbits
“© OpenStreetMap contributors”
It’s right along the road on the border between Nishihira-cho and Misaku-cho.
In spring, it’s a beautiful street lined with cherry blossoms.
They stand on both sides of the road, with the rabbits’ faces pointing in the same direction as the cars.
“© OpenStreetMap contributors”
No wonder you wouldn’t notice them when driving past.
The building you can see in the back is Koshikiiwa Shrine.
There really are rabbits firmly placed on both sides of the road.
What’s more, these rabbits have slightly different faces.
Now, it’s time for a spot-the-difference quiz. Can you tell?
↓a
↓b
It’s an easy one, so you’ve probably noticed already.
The answer is…
Whether they have or don’t have a nose!
(Applause, applause)
We touched one of the rabbits without a nose, but it was completely smooth, so it didn’t seem like the nose had fallen off.
Without the nose, it kind of looks like Miff●.
As for the truth behind it…
We contacted Koshikiiwa Shrine, and they said the shrine did not install them and that they have no connection to the shrine. So we checked with Nishinomiya City Hall, and they confirmed that they were definitely installed by the city.
However, because there are no remaining construction records, they said they don’t know why only this area has “rabbit” bollards. According to someone at City Hall, there was a period when the idea of using cute bollards instead of ordinary straight ones to add a bit of charm to the town was popular, so that may have been the reason.
They said the rabbits were probably installed sometime during the Showa era, which means they’ve been standing there for quite a long time. The truth remains a mystery, but it’s one of Nishinomiya’s quirky little spots that gives you a warm feeling when you find it.
And incredibly, with perfect timing (?),
2023, the Year of the Rabbit, is coming the year after next.
Nishitsu readers, since the opportunity is there, how about making a New Year’s card like this?
↓ Here is the map for Koshikiiwa Shrine
Address of Koshikiiwa Shrine → 5-4 Koshikiiwa-cho, Nishinomiya, Hyogo
