Yohashira Jinja

Only a minute or two from Matsumoto Castle, Yohashira Jinja was founded in the Meiji Period and is actually a rare shrine in Japan, not for its architecture or for any visual note, but because it has four different gods enshrined within the main building. Most shrines will have one or two gods enshrined within with three gods uncommon, but four gods in one building is quite unusual. Because of this, it was given the name of Yohashira, which means the Four Pillars. 

For the casual: 7. For the educated: 6.

This is a wonderful little shrine. It’s in a great place, in a great city, and just off of a lovely little street. Because of the four gods enshrined within, it is believed that the shrine has an above average ability to grant wishes with extra good luck, making it a very popular shrine in the area. When I was there, an elementary school baseball team praying for good luck at the shrine which was quite adorable.

Just outside of the main gate is a small shrine to children. The small structure is completely covered in images, statues, and figurines of frogs. In Japanese, a frog is called a kaeru, which is also the verb to return or go back with an implied intention of returning home.

 

Tenjin Fukashi Jinja

In the heart of Matsumoto city, close to the Matsumoto City Art Museum and the Performing Arts Center, Tenjin Fukashi Jinja is a small but beautifully decorated shrine to two particular gods: Tenjin (a god of scholarly achievement and success) and Suwa-Myojin (a god of war who also blesses agriculture). The shrine holds a two-day festival every year from July 24th to 25th.

For the casual: 5. For the educated: 4.

I really enjoyed this shrine and its lovely colors. Following an Edo Period style of architecture and ornamentation, the shrine is largely vermillian with accents of color and gold. In modern cities where everything tends to run in the gray scale, I really enjoy these moments when you can walk into an area and just be filled with color and beauty. Though I didn’t rank it very high on my scale, I think that it should be a location that visitors should at least pass through when in the area because of how its beauty can be shared with everyone.

 

Shiga Gokoku Jinja

Shiga Gokoku Jinja is one of many shrines across Japan which is dedicated to the souls of those who died in war. In the past I have written about the Hiroshima Gokoku Jinja, and this shrine is little different. This shrine sits just outside of historic Hikone-jô (Hikone Castle) and has honored the souls of the fallen since the Meiji Restoration including the Boshin War, Satsuma Rebellion, the Sino-Japanese War, the Russo-Japanese War, and the Pacific War of World War II.

For the casual: 6. For the educated: 6.

I suspect that there would be little reason to visit this shrine if it wasn’t positoned in front of one of the most famous castles in Japan. A beautiful shrine to be sure, but I really felt like the building wasn’t the main draw to the shrine. Beautiful natural wood and ornated features made the building a lovely place to visit and the slightest breath of wind that moved through carried scents of pine and incense. Though I didn’t go in, there is a small museum next to the main hall where I assume visitors can learn about some of the wars that have happened over the shrine’s tenure. I do recommend taking a look at the statues that stand out front since they each have something to say on the effects of war on the local population.

 

Hiro Jinja

Established at the base of the Nachi Falls in Wakayama, Hiro Jinja is a shrine to the god of the Nachi Waterfall. It’s founding timeline is largely unknown, but it is known that so long as people have been living in the area the falls have been worshipped, even predateing the famed Kumano-Nachi Taisha only a few meters away. The waterfall is the largest uninterrupted in Japan with a height of 133 meters (436 ft.) and an average width of 13 meters (43 ft.), it is one of the most popular falls in the country.

For the casual: 9. For the educated: 8.

If you love stone paths and gorgeous looming cedars, then this is the shrine for you. Though I gave it a little knock for the “educated” visitor, I still highly recommend going especially if you are already going to Kumano-Nachi Taisha. The waterfall is the draw to the valley to begin with, so why wouldn’t you visit? Though the shrine itself is extremely subdued in nature, devoid of flashy buildings or even a hall for worship, it channels all its focus on the falls themselves. The wafting mist generated from the intense pounding cools visitors, keeps the stone walkways slick, and promotes a healthy growth of moss in the surrounding areas. For a small entrance fee, guests can enter past the shrine to special observation decks that also provide dragon fountains of crisp water from the falls to drink (you also get a little ceramic cup with the shrine’s name on it). It is said that the water from the falls promotes health and longevity to those who drink it, so it’s a great gift to have access to, not to mention that the water tasted damn good. Just by seeing the entrance you can tell that this shrine is very old because some of the trees are growing up through the stone path and there is a general wear on everything which evokes a sense of time and peace. In comparison to its famous neighbor, Hiro Jinja is a reprieve from stress and a more honest worship of natural beauty.