Katta Shrine, Shinto shrine in Japan
Katta Shrine is a Shinto shrine in Noboribetsu built in the traditional Shinmei-zukuri style with straight lines and a thatched roof. The wooden structure is simple and clean, featuring a straw rope at the entrance, and sits among tall trees and small gardens that create a peaceful setting.
Katta Shrine was founded in 1786, making it over two centuries old and deeply rooted in the region's past. Following Shinto reforms in 1946, the site closed temporarily but later reopened, continuing its traditional role in the community.
The shrine is dedicated to Ukemochi, a food goddess, and serves as a gathering place where locals pray for harvests, health, and safe travels. Visitors can observe people leaving wishes on wooden plaques and making offerings, practices that show how spiritual traditions continue in daily life.
The shrine is located in central Noboribetsu and accessed through a simple torii gate that marks the entrance. The site is easy to reach and situated near shops and cafes, making it convenient for visitors exploring the area.
The shrine closed temporarily after Shinto reforms in 1946, an experience shared by many sanctuaries of that era, yet it retained its original form when reopening. This makes it a living example of how local traditions endured through Japan's major shifts.
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