Hanazono-jinja, Shinto shrine in Japan
Hanazono-jinja is a Shinto shrine in Kitaibaraki built on a mountainside, distinguished by a collection of ancient trees including a cedar over 800 years old and a famous tree with a bumped trunk structure. The shrine is accessed through a stone Torii gate, with a path passing stone guardian statues carved from rock before reaching the main hall.
The shrine was founded during the shogun era and has a history reaching back over many centuries. It has served generations as a site of worship and remains a central place of local spirituality.
The shrine grounds serve as a place where visitors witness local traditions through sacred trees and stone guardian statues that have been honored for generations. The carved figures at the entrance and the ancient trees demonstrate how people here connect nature with spiritual meaning.
The shrine is open daily from morning until late afternoon and has its own parking lot with ample space for all vehicles. The gentle slope leads to the main hall and is easy to walk for most visitors, especially in the late afternoon or early evening when fewer people are present.
A special tree at the shrine gate called 'kobu-sugi' has a distinctive bump on its trunk that visitors touch while hoping for good fortune and family blessings. Many pilgrims come specifically for this tree, believing it brings them good luck.
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