Awai-jinja, Shinto shrine in Japan
Awai-jinja is a Shinto shrine in Kanonji designed in nagare-zukuri style, where the roof curves gently and extends beyond the walls. The structure displays simple yet graceful wooden craftsmanship characteristic of traditional Japanese building methods.
The shrine is one of the oldest places of worship in the Sanuki region, serving devotees for over a thousand years. It was destroyed by soldiers during a war in the early 1600s and all records were lost, but it was later rebuilt.
Local festivals at the shrine bring people together to honor the gods through rituals and traditional ceremonies wearing historic dress. These celebrations show how the place remains central to community life and spiritual practice.
The shrine sits in a peaceful area surrounded by nature and is easily reached by car from the nearby Onohara interchange or by direct bus service from Kannonji Station. In June, visitors should plan time to see the roughly 3,000 hydrangea plants on the grounds, which display shades of blue and purple throughout the area.
The shrine was historically known as Karita-daimyojin and served as the protector of a large territory covering most of Kanonji City and parts of Mitoyo City. Local people trusted that this place kept their lands safe for generations.
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