Saruka Jinja, Shinto shrine in Japan
Saruka Jinja is a Shinto shrine in the town of Hirakawa in northern Japan with a simple wooden main hall and quiet pathways lined with trees. The shrine features a large pond with pink lotus flowers in summer, a red wooden torii gate at the entrance, and traditional stone elements such as lanterns and guardian dog statues along the walkways.
The shrine was founded in 807 when general Sakanoue no Tamuramaro traveled north to fight the Ezo people. The main hall was rebuilt in 1826 and represents the traditional architecture of Japanese shrines from that era.
The shrine serves as a gathering place where the local community comes together for festivals and prayers throughout the year. Visitors can purchase protective charms and write wishes on wooden plaques, showing how faith is actively practiced in daily life.
The shrine is free to explore during the day, with the office for charms and visitor stamps open from 9 in the morning until 5 in the evening. It is easily accessible, about a 15-minute walk from Tsugaru-Ogami Station, and free parking is available on the grounds and in the adjacent Saruga Park.
During summer, pink lotus flowers bloom in a pond on the grounds, creating a serene and special sight especially in the early morning hours. Visitors can walk across a red wooden bridge to a small shrine on a tiny island surrounded by the blossoms, offering a moment of stillness within nature.
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