Hijiri-jinja, Shinto shrine in Japan
Hijiri-jinja is a small Shinto shrine in Tottori with modest wooden architecture and traditional design elements. The main hall features a gently curved roof and is surrounded by stone lanterns, mature trees, and a small pond with a wooden bridge that create a harmonious setting.
The shrine was founded around 1778 during the middle Edo period and has served as a gathering place for the community ever since. For more than two centuries, it has hosted festivals and celebrations that kept local traditions alive and connected past to present.
Hijiri-jinja is named after the sacred spirits believed to protect the local community and receive prayers for health and good fortune. Visitors notice wooden wish plaques hanging on racks and charms tied to trees, showing how people express personal hopes and seek blessings at this place of worship.
The shrine sits in a quiet area with easy-to-navigate pathways and is accessible from nearby attractions like the Tottori Folk Crafts Museum. It is customary to remove shoes in certain areas, and local staff are helpful in guiding visitors on proper etiquette and customs when paying respect at the altar.
The shrine is known for its Kirin Dance, a lively local festival held twice yearly in late May and September, featuring elaborate costumes and traditional instruments. This dance form is performed by only a few shrines and also takes place at nearby Honji Shrine, showing a unique shared tradition in the region.
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