Ajima-jinja, shinto shrine in Nagoya, Japan
Ajima-jinja is a small Shinto shrine in Kita-ku with a simple layout and a wooden main building featuring a curved roof. The grounds feature tidy gravel paths, small stone lanterns, trees, and natural vegetation that create a serene setting.
The shrine was founded many centuries ago, though exact founding dates were lost to time due to fires and floods that destroyed early records. Nearby kofun burial mounds from the 5th and 6th centuries reveal that the area was once home to influential families in ancient times.
The name Ajima comes from ancient Japanese and connects the shrine to the gods Umasimaji and his son. Visitors can observe how locals write their wishes on wooden prayer boards and leave them at the site, a practice that has been passed down through generations.
The shrine is easily accessible, about 20 minutes walk from Ajima Station on the Meitetsu Komaki line. A parking lot is available for those who prefer to arrive by car.
Nearby kofun burial mounds show this place has been connected to powerful families for over a thousand years, though many historical details were lost. Despite its modest appearance, the shrine holds deep roots in local history and is regarded by generations as a link to their ancestors.
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