Imazu Hie-jinja, Shinto shrine in Japan
Imazu Hie-jinja is a small Shinto shrine in Osaka featuring a modest wooden main hall, a torii gate entrance, and well-maintained trees in its courtyard. The grounds include several smaller shrine buildings, traditional stone lanterns, stone markers, and pathways that lead to quiet prayer areas.
The shrine was established in the late 1600s when sacred objects were transferred from a nearby sanctuary, though the site had been in use earlier. Its main hall dates to 1776 and is dedicated to Amaterasu, the sun goddess, along with other deities linked to land and protection.
The shrine serves as a gathering place where locals come to pray and celebrate seasonal festivals. During autumn festivities, you can observe traditional rituals and decorations that reflect how this space remains woven into the community's daily rhythm.
The shrine is easily accessible on foot from Tokuan train station and has a bus stop right nearby. You can visit at any time of day, though the autumn festivities in October are particularly lively with traditional ceremonies and local gatherings.
The shrine features a special project called 'Nade Eto Stones' where visitors can donate stones shaped like Zodiac animals placed around the sacred tree to attract good fortune. This collection continues to grow as donations arrive for the remaining Zodiac signs.
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