Honmoku Shrine, Shinto shrine in Japan
Honmoku Shrine is a small Shinto shrine located in the Honmoku Wada area of Yokohama. The site features simple wooden structures, well-kept paths, and stone lanterns that reflect traditional architecture.
The shrine was founded around 450 years ago and is rooted in the history of Honmoku as a former fishing village. The Ouma-Nagashi tradition began during the feudal period and continues today, keeping the link to the past alive.
The shrine is tied to the ritual of Ouma-Nagashi, where straw horses carry away bad luck and are released into the sea. Visitors can observe the wooden structures and stone lanterns that show how the community has kept its traditions alive over many generations.
The shrine is easy to reach by bus from Negishi Station, getting off at Sannotani Stop. The site is open daily with no entrance fee, making it a good choice for a peaceful moment during a visit to Yokohama.
During the Ouma-Nagashi festival in August, handcrafted straw horse figures are carried about 5 kilometers out to sea and thrown into the water. This unusual ritual, stretching back centuries, is how the community symbolically washes away negativity.
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