Another gem of a shrine 👹🍣🎎 Wonderful Japan

I guess I must mentioned it a thousand times already, but I like to repeat myself on this point. If there is one thing that has a special fascination for me here in Japan, it is temples and shrines. I have seen countless of them during my time here in the Land of the Rising Sun and have taken a closer look at quite a few of them so far.

When it comes to shrines, our region has quite a high density and you come across smaller and larger shrines everywhere, which are sometimes more eye-catching and sometimes somewhat less impressive. At times a quick glance is enough for me, but at other places I simply have to stop and pause. It is often as if an invisible force stops me in my tracks and keeps me there. And then I just can't help but go closer and look around. My curiosity has taken me to quite a few interesting places over the years, which is why I don't want to miss these spontaneous stops and I'm only too happy to give in to this feeling.

And that's how it was some time ago, when I once again gave in to my curiosity and headed for a small shrine tucked away in a side street. I had already seen the little red toori a few times from the main road, but that day there was simply no reason not to stop and take a closer look.

After parking the car, I quickly walked up the few steps and was already standing in front of the actual shrine building, which was located behind another red toori. It was still winter, so some of the trees had no leaves, but there was a pine tree which is called matsu in Japanese and which provided the right ambience. I simply had to get closer here.

No sooner said than done, and I found myself standing under the Toori, the significant gate that you find at the entrance to almost all shrines. Those gates are so typical of the Japanese atmosphere that many travelers have come to know.

To the left and right of the toori were two fenced-in stone lanterns known as tooro, which can also be found in almost every shrine, as well as in almost every temple and many Japanese parks. A really popular element of Japanese garden design culture.

The main building was rather plain and small and could almost have been mistaken for a residential building. Especially the curtains on the sides were a little confusing, although in the end they did fit in with this shrine here in such a densely built-up residential area.

As you approach, you say your first prayer and shack the thick cord and ring a metal bell. As with many other religions, Shintoism is often very ceremonial, although you can allow yourself a little freedom in the procedures and actions. After all, the people in Japan do the same.

The interior of the shrine was not quite as simple as I had expected. In the foreground there is an offering box into which you can throw your money and in the background you can see a room with tatami mats and a small altar. At many shrines you are alone with yourself, your surroundings and the kami who live there, but at larger and more popular shrines there is often a whole crowd of people who take care of everything going on there.

It seems that this small shrine is frequently visited, especially by the people in the neighborhood. I could hear voices from next door, which meant that I was not the only one around, and a look inside quickly made it clear that sometimes a Shinto priest holds his ceremonies here, and it was not always as quiet as it was at that moment.

But for the moment, that was exactly what I wanted. A little peaceful tranquillity so that I could switch off for a moment and concentrate fully on the here and now. I looked around quietly and let my gaze rest for a while on the toori, which seemed to stand in front of me like a haven of peace.

And then I had to set off again, since I still had to go somewhere else. But I was suddenly in no hurry at all and kept looking around, enjoying the calm yet intense atmosphere around me.

I love short breaks like this. For a brief moment, I spontaneously and unplanned get away from my everyday life and the thoughts that usually surround me all the time. It's as if I can recharge my batteries at shrines like this one, both physically and mentally. Afterwards, I always feel fresher and lighter, and full of new motivation and inspiration. And it is precisely because of this feeling that I will continue to make such short and interesting stops in the future, and not ignore places that interest and fascinate me. On the contrary, I will continue to get up close and take a look...