Kamado Shrine, Shinto shrine at Mount Hōman, Dazaifu, Japan
Kamado Shrine is a Shinto site on Mount Hōman in Dazaifu, consisting of a lower sanctuary at the base and an upper one at the summit. The two sections are linked by a forest trail of roughly six kilometers, running through cedar and broadleaf woods.
The site was founded in 673 by Emperor Tenji when imperial administration moved to Dazaifu. It later received the rank of a first-class imperial sanctuary and remained a place for official ceremonies over many centuries.
The name 'Kamado' refers to a traditional cooking stove, pointing back to early mountain worship centered around hearth fires. Visitors today experience both sites as places of quiet, with the upper sanctuary reached only by forest path and frequented mainly by hikers.
Walking between the lower and upper sanctuary takes about five hours round trip and passes through steep forest sections. Solid footwear is advisable, as parts of the path can be uneven and slippery, especially after rain or in damp conditions.
The administration building combines modern glass architecture with cherry blossom motifs and features benches designed by Jasper Morrison. This unexpected style mix stands out sharply from the traditional wooden construction of the main hall and surprises many visitors at first sight.
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