Towatari Shrine

Towatari Shrine is a small wooden shrine located in Chuo with simple structures and well-maintained grounds featuring a main hall built in 1860 with traditional carved decorations. The site includes a stone pathway, modest interior altar space, and small statues that visitors can see as they move through the grounds.

The original temple was founded in 1644 as a Buddhist site known as Hakujasan Shinkō-in Jōin-ji and operated under Buddhist traditions for over two centuries. During the mid-1800s, the site transitioned to Shinto practices, with the main hall rebuilt in 1860 and additional deities incorporated, including Hiwashi in 1908.

Towatari Shrine remains a place where locals engage in traditional Japanese spiritual practices that continue today. Visitors observe people making offerings, ringing bells, and spending quiet moments in reflection, demonstrating how the shrine serves as an active gathering point for the community.

The visit works best if you move slowly through the grounds and enjoy the quiet surroundings, as the shrine typically attracts few crowds. The nearby neighborhood has small shops and cafes where you can walk around after your visit and enjoy a drink or snack.

The main building was moved to a new location in 1990 to better preserve it and make it more accessible to visitors, showing how the site has adapted to serve the modern community. This relocation also allowed for construction of a new courtyard in front, which enhanced the visitor experience while keeping the traditional structure intact.