Ubushina-jinja, Shinto shrine in Japan
Ubushina-jinja is a Shinto shrine situated on a hill at the edge of the Komachi neighborhood in Utazu, surrounded by tall trees in a quiet natural setting. The shrine comprises a concrete worship hall and a wooden main sanctuary, with the latter originally coming from Ise Grand Shrine and relocated here in 1974.
The shrine was established at its current site in 807, making it a very old place in the area. Over the centuries, it was damaged multiple times by earthquakes and fires, with the most recent reconstruction completed in 1976.
The shrine honors the connection between people and nature, central to Shinto belief and practice. Visitors witness quiet rituals such as leaving coins or bowing before the sanctuaries, which reflect the deep respect the local community holds for this sacred place.
The shrine is easily accessible from different directions and features a stone path leading to the entrance. A small udon noodle restaurant is located on the grounds, offering local food and insight into daily life in the area.
Behind the wooden sanctuary stands a venerated rock about 5.5 meters high and 4 meters wide, which served as the original object of worship at this site. This stone reflects ancient belief practices where natural features like rocks and trees were considered dwellings of deities before formal shrine structures were built.
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