邇保姫神社, Shinto shrine in Japan
Nihohime Shrine is a Shinto shrine in Hiroshima located on a hillside surrounded by trees. The main structures are made of dark wood with curved rooflines, stone lanterns line the pathways, and a large stone water basin is used for purification rituals before prayer.
According to local tradition, the shrine was established around the year 392 and dedicated to the goddess Nihohime, connected to Emperor Nintoku's family. It was refounded in 885 and received land donations in 1288 from a noble family, growing into an important community site that survived World War II.
The shrine serves as a gathering place where locals and visitors pray for good health and protection. Families pass down traditions here, leaving offerings and collecting stamps as a way to honor the goddess Nihohime and maintain a connection to their heritage.
The shrine is located in a residential area of Hiroshima accessible by narrow streets, with parking available nearby and a bus stop close by. Arriving early is advisable on busy days to secure parking, and wear comfortable shoes as there are steps and paths throughout the site.
The stone water basin is one of the oldest features of the shrine and remarkably survived the atomic bomb during World War II while other structures were damaged. This makes it a rare physical reminder of that era and a silent witness to the site's resilience.
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