浮島神社, Shinto shrine in Japan
Ukishima Shrine is a Shinto sanctuary in Kashima, built on an island surrounded by water and appearing to float like a legendary palace. The main hall sits on the water surface, and the surrounding area features well-maintained parks and gardens that invite visitors to linger and explore.
The shrine was founded around 1000 years ago after a local landowner dreamed of a deity instructing him to dig at a specific location. The excavation revealed an abundant water source that created a vast pond and transformed the once-barren land into fertile ground.
The shrine honors Izanagi and Izanami, the divine couple believed to have performed Japan's first wedding ceremony. Visitors come to seek blessings for relationships, happy marriages, and fertility, reflecting how deeply these deities are woven into local beliefs about family and new beginnings.
The shrine is easily accessible by car or bus, with a spacious parking lot that accommodates large tour buses. Comfortable walking shoes are recommended, as the grounds encourage strolling along the waterside paths.
A large golden stone called Kabuto-ishi is said to rest beneath the pond's water, and according to legend, its discovery sparked the shrine's founding and remains hidden to this day. Many visitors wonder about the exact location of this mysterious stone in the water's depths.
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