Tonoki-jinja, Shinto shrine in Japan
Tonoki-jinja is a Shinto shrine in Takaishi with simple wooden structures and a traditional entrance gate called a torii. The grounds feature a gravel courtyard, a main hall with a curved metal-tiled roof, guardian stone lions, and a water basin for cleansing before prayer.
The shrine was established around the year 650 and has over 1,300 years of history. It was once known as a Tenjin shrine dedicated to a learning deity before adopting its current primary god, becoming an important gathering place for the local community.
The shrine is dedicated to Sukunahikona-no-mikoto, a deity honored in the local community for protection and healing. Visitors can observe how people perform traditional gestures like the double bow and double clap before praying, keeping these customs alive through their daily visits.
The shrine is located along Route 204 and is easily reached by local train, which runs behind the grounds. Visitors should cleanse their hands and mouth at the water basin near the entrance and wear comfortable shoes, as the path crosses gravel to reach the main hall.
A large old pine tree stands near the entrance and is believed by many to house the spirits of the shrine, giving it special spiritual meaning. This tree is one of the few original trees still standing from centuries past, serving as a living witness to the site's long history.
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