Ōi Shrine, Shinto shrine in Japan
Ōi Shrine is a Shinto shrine located in Ukyō-ku, Kyoto, built in the nagare-zukuri style with a characteristic roof that slopes forward and downward. The simple wooden structure sits slightly elevated from the ground and is visited by people who pray, toss coins, and ring bells as part of their worship practice.
The shrine dates to the Heian period and remains an important part of Kyoto's spiritual history. Its long tradition has been preserved over centuries, with the structure repaired and restored multiple times to maintain its integrity.
The shrine is dedicated to Ukanomitama, a spirit associated with food and harvest. Visitors come especially during harvest season to give thanks for the rice and crops grown in the region.
The best time to visit is in the morning or late afternoon when it is quieter and visitors can offer prayers and small tokens of respect undisturbed. The pathways are accessible with gentle steps and gradual slopes, and stone lanterns and signs help guide you through the grounds.
Small wooden plaques hang throughout the shrine grounds where visitors write personal messages and express their hopes and wishes. These handwritten tokens reveal how the shrine remains woven into the daily lives and beliefs of those who visit.
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