In Japan, it was believed that raccoon dogs and foxes had the ability to transform into something, thereby deceiving people.
On Shikoku Island, there are more legends of raccoon dogs than foxes.
The reason is said as follows.
Long ago, the head of foxes who did evil was captured by the lords, and the foxes were exiled from Shikoku island due to his crime.
Therefore, it is said that foxes have disappeared in Shikoku Island, and raccoon dogs have become wider.

On a side note, three elderly raccoon dogs appearing in the movie “Pom Poko” produced by Ghibli are all from Shikoku Island.

By the way, foxes are general animal which enshrined to shrine in Japan.
You may have heard of it, it’s called as “Oinari-san” or “Inari-Jinja”.
However, there is a shrine dedicated to the raccoon dog at Dogo Onsen.
The name of the shrine is called “Dogo yu danuki ; Dogo hot springs racoon dog”.
The place is in a renowned and well-established ryokan.

Looking into the body, it is certainly a raccoon dog figure is enshrined.

Furthermore, you can also dedicate ema, pictorial offering with motifs as “Yudama”.

Yudama is one of the symbols of Dogo Onsen.
It is said to represent jewels and bubbles when hot springs spring up.
On the back of the ema, a cute illustration of “Dogo yu danuki” is printed.

If you have the opportunity to come to Shikoku Island, please drop in to Dogo Onsen to wish for this scarce shrine in Japan.