Kou-jinja, Shinto shrine in Japan
Kou-jinja is a small Shinto shrine on the island of Iki in Japan, watched over by two ancient cypress trees and featuring a simple wooden structure with a thatched roof. The grounds are surrounded by stone pathways, lanterns, and lush vegetation that create a calm and sheltered feeling.
Kou-jinja was founded several hundred years ago and has become a focal point of local community life over time. Throughout the decades, it has witnessed festivals, ceremonies, and prayers that all contributed to the shrine's importance and meaning for the people of the island.
Kou-jinja is dedicated to Sarutahiko-okami, a kami believed to bring protection and good fortune. The name means happiness, and visitors come here to pray for safe pregnancies, healthy births, and overall well-being in quiet moments of reflection.
The shrine is easily accessible and offers the chance to receive a goshuin stamp as a souvenir, though it is best to call ahead since the priest's office hours can vary. Visitors are welcome to walk the grounds anytime to pray, stroll, and enjoy the quiet while respecting local traditions.
Visitors can tie small paper strips with written wishes to the sacred trees within the grounds, hoping their hopes will be granted. This practice blends everyday devotion with nature and shows the simple beauty of local rituals.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
