本村神社, Shinto shrine in Japan
Honmura Shrine, also known as Miso Tenjin, is a small shrine in the Oe-machi district of central Kumamoto City, built with traditional wooden architecture and featuring a simple stone torii gate at its entrance. The main hall is modest in size but feels warm and peaceful, with wooden prayer stands, stone lanterns, and guardian statues lining the grounds.
The shrine was founded around 713 to protect people from diseases that spread widely in that era. Over time, it became linked to miso through local stories of prayers that helped restore a spoiled miso harvest, deepening its role in the community.
The shrine is known as Miso Tenjin because of its centuries-long connection to miso, a fermented soybean paste that locals have valued as both food and a symbol of good fortune. Visitors can see small shops near the grounds selling charms and souvenirs related to miso, reflecting how this place ties together tradition, food, and community blessings.
The shrine is easy to reach and open anytime during the day, so you can visit whenever it suits you. Get off the streetcar at the Misotenjin-mae stop, and the short walk to the shrine is well marked with signs.
A surprising local tradition involves placing bamboo leaves into miso barrels, a practice that local stories credit with saving a spoiled harvest. This method is still remembered today, making the place a testament to how practical knowledge and faith have survived across generations.
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