雷神社, Shinto shrine in Japan
Raijinja is a Shinto shrine in Yokosuka where visitors gather to pray for favorable weather and abundant harvests. The grounds are marked by ancient trees, particularly a ginkgo over 500 years old with three trunks that forms a central feature of the site.
The shrine was traditionally founded in 931 and was originally located on an island called Tsukishima. In 1581, a feudal lord moved the shrine to its present location and rebuilt it.
The shrine serves as a place where locals have gathered for centuries to seek blessings for favorable weather and safe harvests. Its name refers to the thunder deity, and visitors can observe the prayers and rituals that continue to be practiced in this sacred space.
The shrine is about 5 minutes walk from Keikyu Ohiama station along a main road. There is a ramp for visitors with mobility needs, but the steep path to the main hall requires additional support for wheelchair users.
According to legend, during a storm in 1559, twelve girls inside the shrine were protected from a lightning strike when a nearby tree was struck instead. This tree, which shows charred remains, remains an important symbol of the site's protective power.
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