Kotai-jinja, Shinto shrine in Japan
Kotai-jinja is a Shinto shrine in Takarazuka with a traditional irimoya roof that slopes on all four sides and carries a gable-like top. The simple wooden structure is painted in natural colors, and small trees and shrubs around the grounds create a peaceful setting, with the roof's curves giving the building a balanced look.
The shrine was founded in 1441 and has been a place of worship ever since. The main building was constructed in the late Edo Period, a time of peace and stability in Japan, and its roof style reflects an architectural tradition that traveled from China to Japan many centuries ago.
The shrine is dedicated to two deities: the sun goddess Amaterasu-sumeōkami and the heaven god Amenokoyaneno-mikoto. Visitors come here to pray for good fortune, health, and success, a practice that has continued for generations.
The shrine is easy to reach by public transport - take a bus from nearby train stations and get off near the entrance. Entry to the main hall and grounds is free, and there is no parking nearby, so traveling by bus or train is recommended.
A very large muku tree grows on the shrine grounds and is protected by the city. This special tree has been carefully maintained for many years and serves as a distinctive marker of the place that visitors often overlook.
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