Kumano-jinja, shinto temple in Meguro, Tokyo, Japon
Kumano-jinja is a small Shinto shrine in Meguro-ku, tucked between tall zelkova and oak trees that create a quiet, almost secretive setting. The main building with its bright red color stands among stone monuments and small wooden plaques where visitors leave their wishes.
The shrine was founded over 800 years ago, though its exact founding date remains unknown. During the Kamakura period, it became associated with the three sacred Kumano shrines in Wakayama and gained meaning as a place that honors these pilgrimage destinations.
The shrine connects to the legendary Kumano Pilgrimage, a historical journey to three sacred sites in the Wakayama region. Visitors come here to ask for blessings in matters of the heart and to buy small charms or draw fortune slips.
The shrine is just a few minutes walk from Jiyugaoka Station and easy to reach by public transportation or on foot. Entrance is free, and the grounds are usually open during daylight hours, with quiet mornings being ideal for exploration.
The shrine is known for its hidden heart-shaped marks on fortune slips that visitors discover while exploring. An annual September festival featuring the local Meguro Bayashi drumming tradition and sacred kagura dances brings the grounds alive with music and community participation.
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