Hino-jinja, Shinto shrine in Japan
Hino-jinja is a Shinto shrine in Nishinomiya surrounded by a protected woodland grove containing some 200 native broad-leaved tree species including camphor and hinoki cypress. The well-maintained grounds feature traditional shrine architecture with neat pathways and natural canopy coverage that creates shade throughout the site.
The shrine was built on the site of a former castle called Kawarabayashi-jo dating to the Nanboku-cho era in the 14th century, according to local tradition established by a descendant of the castle's lord. After severe earthquake damage in the 1990s, the site underwent full restoration that was completed in 2010.
The shrine serves as a gathering place for locals during seasonal festivals and prayers, where people come to seek protection, health, and good fortune through offerings and rituals. The veneration of Amaterasu the sun goddess, alongside other deities, remains central to how the community marks important occasions and connects with spiritual tradition.
The shrine is easily accessible by Hankyu Railway, with a 15-minute walk from Nishinomiya Kitaguchi Station providing a pleasant approach through the neighborhood. The grounds themselves offer ample shade and well-maintained paths suitable for exploring at a relaxed pace.
The site was once connected to a Buddhist temple called Kotsumebayashi-ji that housed a statue of Kannon the goddess of mercy, before the formal separation of Shinto and Buddhism occurred. This hidden religious history reveals how different faiths coexisted on the same sacred ground for centuries.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
