Shinmei-jinja, kuil Shinto di Jepang
Shinmei-jinja is a shrine on the small island of Shinojima off the coast of the Minamichita Peninsula, featuring simple wooden structures that blend into the natural landscape. The main building is rebuilt every twenty years using timber from Ise Shrine in a process called sengū, maintaining a direct connection to Japan's oldest religious architecture.
Founded in 771 to welcome a sacred deity from Ise Shrine, this shrine's history centers on a rebuilding process conducted every twenty years over centuries. The most recent reconstruction occurred in 2015, with the next scheduled for 2035, while a smaller shrine called Hachioji-sha, built in 1288, shares this same cyclical renewal tradition.
The shrine is dedicated to the sun goddess Amaterasu and visited by the community during local festivals and the New Year Shinto rites on January 3rd. Island residents actively participate in these rituals, keeping alive ancient traditions that express respect for nature and spiritual forces.
The shrine is easily reached from Nagoya by train and boat, offering a pleasant way to see the area from the water. Early morning or late afternoon visits are best for a peaceful experience, when the location feels quiet and invites personal reflection.
Young people often visit this shrine to pray for happy relationships, as it holds special significance for love and marriage. The tradition of cyclical rebuilding is so meaningful that even the nearby Hachioji-sha chapel uses timber from the same renewal and follows the same twenty-year schedule.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
