Suzuka-myojinsha, Shinto shrine in Japan
Suzuka-myojinsha is a small Shinto shrine in Zama, Iriya-nishi. The main building is made of wood with traditional design and sits on a small hill surrounded by old trees, giving the place a calm and timeless quality.
The shrine was founded over 1,400 years ago, according to legend by a storm that washed a boat ashore, prompting local people to build a sacred place. Archaeologists have found ancient house remains from this period, showing the site has held significance for thousands of years.
The shrine is dedicated to Suzuka-Okami, a guardian spirit from the Suzuka region. Visitors can see wooden wish tablets hanging on racks and purchase small charms or fortune slips, revealing how people engage with this place in their daily practices.
The shrine is about a 10-minute walk from Zama station and is easy to reach by foot. Bus stops are nearby and there is parking available, while the grounds have ramps for wheelchair access.
The grounds once resembled the shape of a boat, with old trees that looked like sails, so locals called it the 'Boat-shaped forest'. There was also a bell from the 1600s that was taken during wartime in 1943 and later replaced with a new one.
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