Motokariya jinja, Shinto shrine in Japan
Motokariya jinja is a small Shinto shrine in Kariya featuring simple wooden architecture with a curved roof and stone lanterns lining a well-maintained path. The compact grounds are surrounded by trees and include traditional shrine structures like a wooden gate and sacred rope marking the main building.
The shrine was founded many generations ago and has long served as a protective site for the local community. Over the years it has hosted numerous small festivals and rituals that keep local traditions alive and maintain continuity with beliefs of the past.
The name Motokariya jinja reflects its role as a protective shrine for the community. Visitors can observe local customs such as bowing and hand clapping at the main altar, along with leaving small offerings and wooden plaques with written wishes.
The shrine is easily reached on foot from Kariyashi Station on the Meitetsu Mikawa Line and sits in a quiet area with walking paths. Wear comfortable shoes for exploring the grounds, and use public transportation especially on festival days when parking is limited around the site.
The shrine hosts an annual mochi throwing festival held on the first Sunday of October where men toss rice cakes from a tower to crowds below, a tradition that has persisted for many years. Many of the wrapped rice cakes contain lottery tickets offering prizes such as televisions and travel vouchers accumulated through community savings.
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