Hokushin myōken-jinja, Shinto shrine in Japan
Hokushin myōken-jinja is a Shinto shrine located in Katsuragi, Wakayama Prefecture. The site contains traditional wooden buildings with simple architecture, several smaller altars throughout the grounds, and a bronze bell from 1265 that is designated as a cultural property.
The shrine has roots extending hundreds of years back as a Buddhist temple complex called Hokutosan Kongōju-ji. During Japan's religious transformation in the late 1800s, it became a purely Shinto shrine as Buddhist institutions were restructured throughout the country.
The shrine honors Myōken-son, a deity linked to the stars and northern sky, especially the Big Dipper. Visitors notice how this celestial connection shapes the prayers and offerings people make when they visit the grounds.
The shrine is easy to reach by car from nearby train stations and highway exits, just minutes from main roads. Visitors will find hand-washing basins before entering sacred areas and numerous smaller shrines spread throughout the grounds to explore.
A bronze bell from 1265 stands as one of the oldest artifacts on the grounds, carefully protected as a cultural treasure for its warm sound. The entire shrine undergoes restoration every 20 years, keeping the buildings refreshed and vibrant while honoring tradition.
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