粟嶋神社, Shinto shrine in Japan
Awashima Shrine is a small Shinto shrine in Uto known for its tiny wooden torii gates that attract many visitors. The grounds feature simple wooden structures, small stone lanterns, and are surrounded by trees that create a quiet setting.
The shrine was founded in 1633 based on a story of hospitality and divine blessing when a couple welcomed a traveling monk. The spring festival date was later moved from February 3 to March 3 in the late 1800s.
The shrine is dedicated to Sukunahikona no Mikoto, a deity connected to land creation and healing in Japanese mythology. Visitors come to pray for health, prosperity, and success, and the simplicity of the place encourages genuine devotion.
A parking lot nearby can hold several cars and the shrine takes only a few minutes to walk to from town. The location is easy to access via local roads and sits in a quiet residential area.
The shrine is particularly famous for its tiny torii gates that are so small visitors can easily pass through them. Some people walk through the gates with their stomachs pulled in as part of a ritual for safe childbirth and good health.
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