Aga-jinja, Shinto shrine in Japan
Aga-jinja is a Shinto shrine in Himeji with traditional wooden architecture and natural elements scattered across its grounds. The site houses ten deities in multiple buildings and smaller shrines, including a Nagi tree over 1000 years old on the east side of the main hall.
The shrine was established over 1300 years ago and remained significant until a nearby castle was destroyed in the 16th century. The remains of the castle walls still stand today, preserving evidence of the area's medieval past.
The shrine is woven into the rhythm of local community life. Visitors can observe people participating in the autumn festival, carrying portable shrines through the grounds and taking part in traditional rituals that connect them to their ancestors and the site's spiritual purpose.
Visitors should wash their hands at the Temizusha station before entering the shrine. The site offers both informal worship options and formal ceremonies conducted by priests, and guests can purchase charms or write wishes on wooden cards to hang on the designated racks.
Local legend says a tengu, a creature from Japanese folklore, dwells near the large Meoto Iwa rocks. Visitors often touch these stones as they are believed to symbolize binding and partnership.
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