鹿島大神宮, Shinto shrine in Japan
Kashima Daijingū is a small shrine in Kōriyama surrounded by old trees that creates a quiet atmosphere. The sanctuary contains a large rock designated as a national natural monument, and a modest traditional main hall where visitors offer prayers and leave small donations.
The sanctuary was founded over 1200 years ago when a priest from a larger shrine in Ibaraki settled here and established worship of Takemikazuchi. Over the centuries, local samurai families such as the Tamura and Akita supported it through donations and helped organize festivals that made it an important community gathering place.
The shrine is dedicated to Takemikazuchi, a spirit worshipped by the local community for over 1200 years. Visitors can experience traditional dances and music performed during festivals, rituals that connect people to their ancestors and show how this place remains central to local customs today.
The shrine is free to enter and has no fixed closing day, though opening hours vary by season and should be checked ahead. It is easily accessible by car with a parking lot on-site, and about a five-minute taxi ride from the nearest station at Miharu.
A distinctive feature is the large pegmatite rock that has rested there for millions of years and is protected as a national natural monument. Visitors can collect monthly changing seal stamps featuring seasonal symbols and zodiac signs, turning visits into an ongoing way to mark the passage of the year and local traditions.
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