Manzō Inari-jinja, Shinto shrine in Japan
Manzō Inari-jinja is a small shrine in Shiroishi, Miyagi Prefecture, with traditional wooden structures and a gravel path leading to the main building. The approach is lined with over 100 red torii gates that create a striking visual passage and guide visitors toward the entrance.
The shrine was founded by a man named Manzo, a horse keeper from the Kumagaya family, who helped a traveling monk and received three horses in return. Manzo sold the horses, used the money to build the shrine, and spent his remaining years in spiritual practice at the site.
The shrine honors Inari, the deity of rice, harvest, and prosperity, and visitors leave offerings and write wishes on wooden plaques hung at the site. Locals visit regularly to seek blessings for good harvests, business success, and personal well-being.
The shrine is accessible by car, about 45 minutes from Shiroishi Station or the Tohoku Expressway exit, with parking available on site. Visiting early in the morning or late afternoon offers a calmer experience, as crowds are minimal and the setting is more peaceful.
The monk Manzo helped was believed to be an incarnation of Inari himself, a detail that adds deep spiritual meaning to the shrine's founding story. This legend of kindness rewarded by divine intervention has become central to how locals connect with the place.
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