ヒロ大神宮, Shinto shrine in Hilo, Hawaii, United States
Hilo Daijingu is a Shinto shrine of the Shinmei type in Hilo on Hawaii's Big Island, dedicated to Amaterasu Omikami. It was founded on 3 November 1898 by its first chief priest, Kakuta Gōshi, and is considered the oldest shrine outside Japan. Its former name was Yamato Jinja, and it serves as the guardian shrine of the Hawaiian Islands.
The shrine was founded in 1898 and is one of the oldest shrines outside Japan. It emerged from Japanese immigration to Hawaii and the efforts to preserve religious traditions in this new homeland.
The shrine is named after Amaterasu, the sun goddess, and reflects the Japanese traditions that took root in Hilo. Visitors can observe how people offer prayers and participate in seasonal festivals throughout the year, events that bring the local community together.
The shrine stands at 10 Anela St. in Hilo, on Hawaii Island. It is a Shinto shrine of the Shinmei type, dedicated to Amaterasu Omikami, and serves as the guardian shrine of the Hawaiian Islands. Visitors enter through the torii gate and dress appropriately when ceremonies take place.
The shrine is one of the oldest outside Japan and was founded by immigrants who wanted to preserve their culture in Hawaii. Today it draws both local believers and Japanese visitors seeking a rare piece of Japanese history in the Pacific region.
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