Sumiyoshi-jinja, 兵庫県加東市上鴨川にある神社
Sumiyoshi-jinja is an ancient Shinto shrine in Katō featuring traditional wooden structures set among peaceful grounds. The site includes a main hall built in Sumiyoshi-zukuri style, auxiliary shrines, purification fountains, and stone lanterns that line the approach path.
The shrine was established roughly 1800 years ago and served as the principal shrine of the old Chikuzen Province. In the 14th century, it received divine spirits from a larger shrine in Osaka, gaining official status; after a fire in the early 1700s, it was reconstructed in traditional style.
The shrine serves as a meeting point where ancient beliefs are still practiced in daily life. Visitors can see people writing wishes on wooden tablets and leaving offerings, keeping rituals alive through simple gestures of respect.
The shrine is easily accessible on foot from the nearby station, sitting as a quiet refuge amid the busy city. Before approaching the sacred areas, visitors should wash their hands and mouth at the purification fountain following the simple ritual practiced there.
The grounds feature a rare stone monument dedicated to cats, viewed as protectors because they keep mice away, which matters for silkworm farming in the region. These monuments are uncommon across Japan, making them a charming and unexpected find for visitors exploring the site.
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