Ikuta Jinja

Situated in the center of the Sannomiya district of Kobe, Ikuta Jinja is one of the oldest recorded shrines in Japan. Acording to the Nihon Shoki, Ikuta Jinja was founded at the turn of the 3rd century by the Empress Jingu and was surrounded by forest until the 19th century when the already bustling port city boomed with modernization. Today, Ikuta Jinja continues to represent the heart of Kobe both in its function as the spiritual center, as well as the geographical center.

For the casual: 8. For the educated: 8.

Ikuta is a beautiful shrine smack dab in the center of Kobe. Around it are multitudes of restaurants that sell perfectly cooked portions of Kobe beef, one of the most expensive cuts of meat you can get in Japan. It is also only a few blocks from the major shopping centers in the area which helps visitors orient themselves within the city. When the shopping gets to be a bit much, the shrine is a welcome reprieve from the bustle of city life. If you're looking for something to photograph, Ikuta Jinja is definitely photogenic locality with vermillian tori, a massive gate, and views of the mountains only just overshadowing the complex. Though it seems small from the outside, Ikuta Jinja is a spaceous site once you get into the gates. The shrine also hosts various events throughout the year as it seeks to not only reinvigorate its position in the ever changing local climate, but also to bring in foreign tourists through its gates. I saw a gagaku performance (Imperial Court music) and had a wonderful time experiencing yet another classic Japanese art that continues to capture the imagination of those who watch and listen.

Also there’s a shrine to sake brewing. How wonderful is that?

 

Onokorojima Jinja (Awaji Island)

Nestled in the center of Minamiawaji city on Awaji Island, Onokorojima Jinja is a shrine dedicated to the first island created in the Japanese genesis story. Onokorojima was an island bade by the gods Izanagi and Izanami by using a spear to swirl the deformed mass of the mortal world until a piece of that mass dripped off the tip of the spear and became an island. This shrine is supported by the imperial family of Japan and is noted for the massive tori gate which stands in front.

For the casual: 3. For the educated: 3.

Onokorojima Jinja is a cool shrine given its history and location. The shrine itself is a bit of a letdown, but that's only based on the standards instilled from going to shrines in the two biggest hubs of Japan and therefore are subject to serious funding and embellishment. If the Japanese were also as religious as those that follow some other major religions, Onokorojima Jinja would be a massive complex supported by whoever was in power dating back to when the shrine was first built. Sadly that's not how things are, but it is important to remember that the shrine is backed by the imperial family. Awaji Island is a hidden gem in the backyard of the Kansai area. It's an area that most foreigners never even imagine to visit, but please, if you have the chance to visit Awaji and the city of Minamiawaji, please come visit this shrine, because I guarantee that the people who work diligently there every day will be more than happy to give you tips on some special places in town to visit that only the locals know. Hot springs anyone?

 

Shimogamo Jinja

Shimogamo Jinja is a shrine along the banks of the Kamo river and just northeast of the Imperial Palace in Kyoto. This shrine is home to Kamotaketsunomi-no-mikoto, the guardian deity of the city of Kyoto, and also to his daughter Tamayorihime-no-mikoto, a goddess of strong and prosperous marriage. Said to take on the form of a three-legged raven, Kamotaketsunomi-no-mikoto is believed to have led the first emperor of Japan, Jimmu, to not only the site where the great capital of Kyoto would be established, but also to where his shrine would later be constructed. Though it is not known when the shrine was first constructed, artifacts have been found which date the shrine back as far as the Yayoi Period (c. 350 BCE-c. 250 CE). The forest which surrounds Shimogamo Jinja is an ancient forest designated as a National and World Heritage site in its own right as it is so old that its history is rather unknown. Shimogamo Jinja is also one of the shrines which participates in the Shikinen Sengu, a tradition of rebuilding shrines anew every 21 years for spiritual purity. The last rebuilding of Shimogamo Jinja was 2013.

For the educated: 9. For the casual: 9.

Shimogamo Jinja is a special place to be in the Kyoto area. Like many of the sites here, Shimogamo Jinja is a UNESCO World Heritage site and a National Heritage site. I also recommend going to the shrines and temples which house the guardian deities of the city, but this one was rather special in my opinion for a number of reasons.

For one, the shrine is buried in the Tadasu-no-mori, a forest so old they dont actually know what the name means although its been narrowed down to delta or justice. Take your pick. Anyways, a walk through this protected forest means that you can escape most of the busy city that you have clogged your pores with. Listen to the birds and the bees, or if youre visiting in summer, the cicadas. the white gravel pathways and green canopy complement each other until you reach the shrine itself. Vermillion gates stand in stark constrast, but do not seem to loose sight of the beauty it surrounds itself with.

For those who have an understanding of Japanese history, Shimogamo Jinja is a great and easy place to visit if you want to tap into the ancient lay lines of the Kyoto past. But its also important to take in the sensory brilliance of such a little haven. Enjoy the sights, sounds, and smells, and relax as you get transported from central Kyoto to a lush wonderland.

 

Kasuga Taisha

Kasuga Taisha is one of the premier ancient shrines built during the Nara period when the capital was at Heijô-kyô. The shrine is home to several key gods brought in from other shrines in the area, but its main deity is Takemikazuchi-no-Mikoto, the guardian deity of Nara. It is said that Takemikazuchi-no-Mikoto came to Kasuga Taisha on the back of a white deer, a detail which makes all deer sacred animals by imperial decree. Today, the deer in Nara mostly lounge around Nara Park and sometimes in the middle of roads. Again, these animals are deemed sacred and cannot be harmed in any way, so good luck getting through town if they're blocking the roads. Kasuga Taisha was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1998.

For the casual: 9. For the educated: 9.

Kasuga Taisha is one of the coolest shrines that I visited simply because of the environment. Visiting this shrine is like a great hike. Most of the time visiting the shrine is walking up the path to get to the buildings. The pathway is lined by over 3,000 stone lanterns donated by patrons of the shrine and there are so many in fact that it has more stone lanterns in one location than anywhere else in Japan. Above the walkway are beautiful healthy cypress trees which give you a great reprieve from the summer sun. Once you arrive at the shrine itself, the color palate changes from the greens, browns, and grays of the pathway to the vibrant whites and oranges of the buildings. Visiting the shrine for the most part is free, but the buildings themselves require a ticket. If you were wondering, and I'm sure at least a few of you were, the lanters are lit only twice per year, in August and on the 3rd of February to celebrate the end of winter.

View fullsize

View fullsize