Tokumori-jinja, Shinto shrine in Japan
Tokumori-jinja is a Shinto shrine in Tsuyama with traditional wooden buildings set among old trees, creating a quiet space filled with history. The main hall is dedicated to the sun goddess Amaterasu, and the grounds feature stone lanterns, winding paths, and a large portable shrine used during festivals.
The shrine was founded in 733 and relocated to its current location in the early 1600s by Tsuyama's first feudal lord. The main hall and treasure houses were later decorated with vivid colors and carvings, giving the shrine a more lively appearance.
The shrine serves as a gathering place for the local community, especially during the annual June festival when processions and performances fill the streets with activity. Visitors can observe how tradition remains alive here: small offerings left by worshippers, the portable shrine carried through town, and the participation of residents of all ages show the deep connection between this place and daily life.
The shrine is located about one kilometer northwest of Tsuyama station and is easily reached on foot or by bicycle. Visitors should cleanse their hands and mouth at the purification fountain before approaching the main hall to prepare mentally for prayer.
A special feature of the shrine is the story of Amaterasu explained through a friendly picture book called 'Toku-chan', which makes the sun goddess legend accessible and easy to understand. The shrine also offers a Shinto-style eternal graveyard where families can honor and remember their ancestors through traditional burial practices.
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