Kotoura-jinja, Shinto shrine in Japan
Kotoura-jinja is a Shinto shrine in Amagasaki with a simple structure featuring a small main hall, a large Torii gate at the entrance, and well-kept grounds with trees. It was founded before the year 885, making it over a thousand years old, with its present location established around the 1950s.
The shrine was founded before 885 and is over a thousand years old, having been destroyed and rebuilt multiple times, earning the name Chijimi-san from these hardships. A new large Torii gate was built in 1958, symbolizing the shrine's renewal and survival through many difficulties.
The shrine is called Kuramochi Ebisu Ōmiya by some or Chijimi-san by locals, names rooted in stories of hardship that the community endured. These different names reflect how deeply the shrine is woven into the everyday lives and memories of people in the area.
The shrine is easy to reach while walking through Amagasaki and offers a break from busy streets, with neat grounds and trees that invite you to stroll around. Visitors can come anytime to pray for themselves or simply enjoy the quiet atmosphere.
The shrine is known for welcoming LGBTQ couples for wedding ceremonies, making it unusual in the region. Priest Ōtagaki Nobuyo, who has lived overseas, personalizes rituals and accepts couples of all backgrounds.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
