Exploring Akiha-Jinja - A shrine almost hidden in the woods 👹🍣🎎 Wonderful Japan

There are many great things you can experience not so far away from your own place of residence. You don't always have to fly halfway around the world, often a short break in the late afternoon is enough to reaffirm to yourself that at the moment you might not have ended up in the wrong place after all. A little curiosity and spontaneity are important, so it doesn't take much to find yourself in the middle of the world exploring something unknown. And if the unknown is perhaps not really all that new to you, then it probably has an even more intense effect and helps you to reinforce your own memories and keep them fresh.

That late afternoon, on my way to work, I drove the usual route that takes me over a small range of hills where there is also a fairly expansive park. We've been there a few times before and already know of a few corners that we particularly like. Since I still had a little time that day, I decided without further ado to take a little detour and walk around a bit. I knew there was a shrine there that we had already visited once, and somehow I wanted to go there again now. However, this time I had chosen a different route, and when I arrived at the parking lot, I was suddenly full of anticipation and couldn't wait to start walking.

In front of me now stood the first torii, which marked the entrance area to Akiha-jinja (or Akiha shrine) and behind that the way went up immediately. Again, there were many steps waiting for me, but I was so full of energy that I would have loved to run up them. But I took it slowly and decided to enjoy the round ahead with all my senses.

Although there were more steps than I had expected at the beginning, I climbed them quickly. I was already in the middle of nature and around me green was now the dominant color. A toro, a stone lantern showed us the way, which you actually could not miss at all.

After the last steps there was the next torii waiting, and also the sun sent its rays through the forest, as if it wanted to accompany us on this path.

At this shrine, too, there was a basin for ritual hand cleansing, which was guarded here by a fiery dragon, which itself also seemed to be enjoying the low-hanging sun.

If you look closely, you can even see the shadow of the dragon in the background on the left tree. The timing of my visit was probably well chosen.

And soon we stood in front of the main building of the Akiha shrine, which may not be one of the most pompous shrines in the country, but for me it offered exactly the effect and feeling I was looking for. Framed by more toro and many trees, it seemed to have found a perfect place here.

Now it was short time to catch my breath and for a little self-reflection. I also expressed a few wishes, and would be very grateful for any assistance.

At the same time I also looked back, because not only the path ahead, but also what lies behind us, deserves our attention. Since I just walked on this path before, it is worth to look at it again carefully.

And on we went, slightly uphill and further into the forest....

Behind the corner there were some more steps, which I then mastered quite happily, without forgetting to look to the left and to the right all the time as well.

And I didn't forget to look back again, simply because the way up here was so much fun so far. And because I was in such a good mood.

Now I stood in front of the second shrine building, which marked the end of the shrine complex. A little smaller and a little more hidden, and thus a little more charming and dreamy.

One last torii to pass through and before I went on a lap around the building. In the process, I shared my energy with that of the place while absorbing much of the Akiha-Jinja's own energy and power.

On our last visit, I didn't even notice this little toilet building, so out of curiosity I took a quick peek inside. As always it was in pretty clean condition, something I've come to really appreciate here in Japan.

My further walk then also took me past this small Buddhist altar, in front of which I paused briefly. Religions seem to be able to cooperate and coexist in Japan without any problems. Unfortunately, this is not always so commonplace in our world.

Finally, I had arrived at a small lookout from which I enjoyed a nice view of the plain ahead.

Far in the background you can spot the mountains of the inland massif and in front of them you can make out single villages and many, now already green, rice fields. The clouds indicate that the weather would probably change soon, but at the moment I was not worried about that at all.

For the way back on the spot I decided to turn right and go deeper into the forest. The greenery ahead was just too inviting not to let myself drift along a bit.

The ground was soft and felt like a cushion and the short descent gave me some nice momentum, which took me to the last part of my walk, which was just ahead of me.

Among the mighty cedars, I felt quite small, but still as a huge part of all the nature around me. Walking here was relaxing but also vitalizing at the same time, as it often is to me.

I also didn't miss the many ferns that had wonderfully rounded up the atmosphere here in the forest. I could have continued walking for a long time, but slowly I came back within reach of the place from which I left.

But before that I passed a newly designed play parkour, which I have memorized quite well for next time. This is where I really need to come back to, because I know someone who would love to play here.

Speaking of letting off steam, even though I'm probably not in the approved age group, I had to at least try it out. Who can just walk by here without having some fun themselves at least once?!

Finally, I passed a small garden, which in the light of the setting sun looked absolutely charming. It is exactly this harmony that always attracts me to such places, and makes we want to stay there longer and to recharge my batteries and my power.

Oh yes, I would have loved to linger for a while, but now time was starting to press on me. I walked back once again and looked at the scenery very thoroughly to keep that feeling deep inside. Right, now it can go on.

And also at the end it was very important for me to look back once more. The steps that were now behind me were completely different from the ones I started on. But this spontaneous round was exactly what I needed that day. Sometimes you don't know exactly what you need, but if you listen to your intuition and let yourself be guided by your curiosity and spontaneity, you quickly feel that you are getting to exactly the right place. And that's precisely what happened to me, and I was now perfectly prepared for everything that would lie ahead of me that evening.

The Akiha-jinja will see me again, hopefully soon, because right now the weather is really suitable for a little hike through the woods and in nature. I actually can't wait to start walking here again.

So please check back soon, because then there will be new impressions and pictures from the land of the rising sun. There's still so much to explore here and I'm already looking forward to my next discovery.

[//]:# (!worldmappin 37.78776 lat 139.13724 long Exploring Akiha-Jinja - A shrine almost hidden in the woods 👹🍣🎎 Wonderful Japan d3scr)