Itsukushima Shrine in Miyajima, Japan

Itsukushima Shrine [Japanese: Itsukushima-Jinjya, 厳島神社] ((UNESCO))
Location: Miyajima-cho, Hatsukaichi-city in Hiroshima prefecture in Japan 
　　　　　広島県廿日市市宮島町
Access: by Ferry from Miyajima-guchi/ 宮島口. 10 minutes ride. Every 15 min.
Fare: adult 180 yen, children 90 yen

 

 ferry from Miyajima-guchi/宮島口 to Miyajima-sambashi/宮島桟橋.

 

 

a monument showing that Itsukushima Shrine [Japanese: Itsukushima Jinjya, 厳島神社] is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
 

 

Miyajima island [宮島] is one of the three most scenic sights of Japan;

"The Three Views of Japan (nihon-sankei, 日本三景)".
We found the monument of Nihon-sankei (日本三景碑) too.
 

 

Deer in Miyajima.

 

There was a pillar of the Three Views of Japan

around the entrance of waterfront toward the Itsukushima Jinjya. 
 

 

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We walked along the seashore to the Itsukushima shrine.

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We could see the Great Torii [Japanese: Otorii, 大鳥居] right away.
cf)Torii: a gate or the boundary between the spirit and the human worlds.

 
Some people were digging for clams during low tide.

 

The open stage located in front of the main shrine 

is called Hira-butai/ 平舞台.
It was a temporary stage but it became permanent.
Hira-butai is considered as a garden.

The part of Hira-butai looks like a pier is called Hitasaki/ 火焼先.

 

The vermilion corridors [Japanese: Kairou, 廻廊] in Itsukushima Shrine.
Anywhere on the corridor is a photo spot.
 

 

We could see the crabs coming out from the sand during the low tide 

below the corridors of the shrine.

 

an Arched Bridge [Japanese: Sori-bashi, 反橋].

It was used to enter directly to the Main Shrine for the festival in the past.
 

 

Episode of Itsukushima Shrine

Tomo & Chouchou went to Itsukushima Shrine [厳島神社, Itsukushima-Jinjya], which is floating in the sea, by group tour.  We went by bus until Miyajima-gushi/ 宮島口. Miyajima-guchi was in front of the train station. It took about 10 minutes to go to Miyajima-sanbashi (宮島桟橋) in Miyajima by ferry.
As soon as we arrived in Miyajima island, we could find a monument showing that Itsukushima Shrine is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. 
Miyajima island is also one of the three most scenic sights of Japan; "The Three Views of Japan (日本三景, nihon-sankei)". We found the monument of Nihon-sankei too.
As soon as we started to walk ahead, the deer living in Miyajima island approached us. Deer in Miyajima were more aggressive than deer in Nara. They approached us to check if we had any foods. We had paper bags. Then they tred to get them. They tried to eat even paper bags. It was a bit scary.
Around the entrance of waterfront toward the Itsukushima Jinjya, there was a pillar of the Three Views of Japan. We needed to walk along the seashore to go to Itsukushima Shrine. We could see the Great Torii [Otorii, 大鳥居] right away.
cf)Torii: a gate or the boundary between the spirit and the human worlds.

The Itsukushima Shrine looks floating on the sea during high tide. During low tide, people come with scoops and buckets, and get shellfish. When we went there, it was during low tide. So people were digging for clams.
When we entered Itsukushima shrine, we could see the beautiful Shinden-zukuri/ 寝殿造り of the Main Shrine/ 本殿.
cf)Shinden-zukuri (寝殿造): the style of architecture built for aristocratic or palatial mansions in the Heian period (around 10th century)
We walked to the open stage called Hira-butai/平舞台. We could feel Hira-butai was like a garden as it was said. We walked to the pier called Hitasaki/ 火焼先.
From Hitasaki, we could see the Great Torii [Otorii, 大鳥居] and Seto Inland Sea [Setonaikai, 瀬戸内海] in front. Sea wind can enter from anywhere of the Itsukushima Shrine. So we could feel the wind in the shrine.
We could see the most whole parts of the shrine from anywhere in the shrine.
The vermilion corridors in Itsukushima Shrine were so brilliant. Anywhere on the corridor was a good photo spot.
We found the crabs coming out from the sand below the corridor of the shrine during the low tide. We really felt the shrine was beside the sea.
There was an Arched Bridge [Sori-bashi, 反橋]. We couldn't walk on the bridge. But it was enough beautiful to see.

The Itsukushima Shrine is located beside the sea, however it still remains. It's very rare and very spiritual.
Green Mount Misen (弥山) is located behind the Itsukushima Shrine, Blue Seto Inland Sea in front of the Itsukushima Shrine and vivid vermilion color of the shrine; all the combination of color was just great. It was a lovely landscpae of the Itsukushima Shrine unifying with the nature.
The Itsukushima shrine existing between the mountain and the sea made us feel the coexistence between the nature and the human, and it made us understand how Japanese people lived with the nature and how much Japanese people worshipped the god of the nature.

Tomo & Chouchou's advices for Miyajima

1)Deer even try to eat paper bags if we have, so please be careful.
More and more we feed deer, more and more deer try to eat human foods.
Nowadays, some deer eat a plastic bag with foods and they die.
So please don't feed any foods except specific foods for deer.
2)If you travel to Japan, never miss the Itsukushima Shrine. It is the symbol of Japanese beauty and Japanese spirits. 

 

Information

Itsukushima Shrine is also called floating shrine because it looks floating in the sea during high tide. Itsukushima Shrine is a Shinto shrine and it's disignated as a World Heritage Site.
Itsukushima Shrine is located on the island called "Miyajima/宮島 or Itsukushima/厳島" in Hatsukaichi/廿日市 in Hiroshima prefecture, Japan.
To go to Miyajima island, we need to take a ferry from Miyajima-guchi (宮島口) where is just in front of the train station. It takes about 10 minutes to go to Miyajima-sanbashi (宮島桟橋) in Miyajima by ferry.

Yasaka shrine in Kyoto

Yasaka shrine [Japanese: 八坂神社; Yasaka-jinja]
Yasaka shrine is also called "Gion-san" [Japanese: 祇園さん] because Yasaka shrine was once called Gion shrine(=Gion-jinja).
Yasaka shrine is the second most popular shrines in Kyoto.
Yasaka shrine welcomes about 1 millions of people for New Year.

We walked Shijo street [Japanese: 四条通; Shijō-dori] 

from Gion-Shijo station [Japanese: 祇園四条駅; Gion-Shijō]

to the east.

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main entrance of Yasaka shrine [Japanese: 西楼門] on Shijo street.

 

 

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After we entered the main entrance [桜門],

 

a Daruma dolls stand
(Daruma dolls are regarded as a talisman of good luck and seen as a symbol of perseverance and good luck.)
 

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After keep walking the pathway [Japanese: 参道],

main hall of Yasaka shrine [Japanese: 本殿; Honden].
 Main hall is one of the Important Cultural Properties of Japan.

In front of the main hall, 

there was a Kagura hall or Maidono [Japanese:神楽殿 or 舞殿].
(Kagura hall: music pavilion in a Shinto shrine dedicated to Noh or the sacred kagura dance)
 

 

Backside of main hall,

there was a place to tie Omikuji and Ema.
(O-mikuji: fortune slip)
(Ema: wooden plaques bearing prayers or wishes)
 

 

In front of Omikuji area, 

there was "Utsukushi-Gozensha" [Japanese: 美御前社].

 The god of Utsukushi-Gozensha is the god of the beauty.

Episode of Yasaka shrine

TOMO&CHOUCHOU went to Yasaka shrine [Japanese: 八坂神社; Yasaka-jinja) in Kyoto for New Year's.
Tomo&Chouchou went to Kyoto by train, then we walked Shijō street [Japanese: 四条通; Shijō-dōri) from Gion-Shijō station [祇園四条駅] to Yasaka shrine.
On Shijō street(=forth avenue), there were many Kyoto-taste shops. It was enjoyable to seee while walking!
After Keep walking Shijō street to the east, we could find the main entrance of the Yasaka shrine [Japanese: 西楼門].
After the entrance, we found many stands (Japanese: 屋台; yatai).
Chouchou was happy to find a Daruma dolls stand, then Chouchou prayed to the Daruma doll.
Keep walking the pathway through the crowd, we found a main hall [Japanese: 本殿; Honden) which was one of the Important Cultural Properties of Japan [重要文化財]. There were so many people in the shrine but we could pray well.
In front of the main hall, there was a maidono [舞殿] which is decorated with lots of Japanese lanterns.
Back side of main hall, there was a place to tie Omikuji [Japanese: おみくじ] or Ema [Japanese: 絵馬].
In front of omikuji area, there was "Utsukushi-Gozensha" [Japanese: 美御前社]. Tomo was happily surprised to find the god of the beauty at Utsukushi-Gozensha! In front of the shrine, there was sacred water [Japanese: 神水]. This sacred water cures skin problems and makes us beautiful from the heart. Of course, Tomo put sacred water to her skin and prayed for the beauty!

Then, we went to the park which is called "Maruyama-Kōen" [Japanese: 円山公園] where is located in the east side of Yasaka shrine. We enjoyed Shijo area in New Year's. It was the good start of the year!

Tomo&Chouchou's advices for Yasaka shrine

Yasaka shrine is popular all year rounds. 

Yasaka shrine is famous for Gion festival(=祇園祭; Gion-matsuri). It is held in July every year. At this time, it is super crowded around Shijo area.

Maruyama-Kōen has excellent cherry blossom (=Shidare-sakura), so Shijo area is very crowded during spring, especially cherry blossom season (=Hanami season).

The entrances and exits of Yasaka shrine are never closed, so you can visit and pray at night too.

Please enjoy Yasaka shrine each season !


Address
625, Gionmachi Kitagawa, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto
[京都府京都市東山区祇園町北側625番地]

Transportation
about 5min. on foot from Gion-Shijo station of Keihan line [京阪祇園四条駅]
or
About 8min. on foot from Kawaramachi station of Hankyu line [阪急河原町駅]
or
about 15min. by car from Kyoto station of JR line [ＪＲ京都駅]
or
in front of "Gion" bus stop of Kyoto city bus 206 from JR Kyoto station

Sumiyoshi-taisha in Osaka, Japan

 

<Sumiyoshi Grand Shrine>

住吉大社

symbol of Sumiyoshi "Taiko bashi bridge [Japanese: 太鼓橋]".

It is also called Sorihashi bridge [Japanese: 反橋].

the view from the Sorihashi bridge.

We started to see the entrance of Sumiyoshi Grand Shrine.

 - four main halls -

First main hall of Sumiyoshi Taisha enshrines Sokotsutsu no Onomikoto
第一本宮：底筒男命 （そこつつのをのみこと）

Second main hall of Sumiyoshi Taisha enshrines Nakatsutsu no Onomikoto
第二本宮：中筒男命 （なかつつのをのみこと）

Third main hall of Sumiyoshi Taisha enshrines Uwatsutsu no Onomikoto
第三本宮：表筒男命 （うはつつのをのみこと）

Fourth main hall of Sumiyoshi Taisha enshrines

 Okinagatarashihime no Mikoto = Empress Jungu.
第四本宮：息長足姫命 (おきながたらしひめのみこと)=神功皇后 (じんぐうこうごう)

1000 year-old camphor tree "Sennen-kusunoki"[Japanese: 千年楠]

 

couple tree "Fuufu-kusunoki" [Japanese: 夫婦楠]

This tree has one root but it is divided by two.

Episode of Sumiyoshi Grand Shrine

TOMO&CHOUCHOU visited Sumiyoshi Grand Shrine [Japanese: Sumiyoshi-taisha; 住吉大社] which was one of the three big sumiyoshi shrines in Japan.
Sumiyoshi Grand shrine is located in Sumiyoshi-ku, Osaka, Japan. Official name of Sumiyoshi Shrine is "Sumiyoshi no Oogami no miya; 住吉大神宮".
Sumiyoshi shrine is called casually "Sumiyoshi-san" or "Sumiyossan" by local people.
Sumiyoshi shrine is very popular. Every new year's day, more than 2 millions people visit this shrine.
There is a big Trii at the entrance. [Trii; 鳥居=gateway at the entrance to a Shinto shrine)
After Trii, we could see the red bridge called Soribashi [反橋].
The bridge is liken to the rainbow which is the bridge between human's world and gods' world. This bridge is called "Taiko-bashi; 太鼓橋". Taiko bashi is a very famous symbol of Sumiyoshi. The reason to pass the bridge is to purify ourselves before approaching the gods. The bridge was very steep, so it was a bit scary to go up and down.
From the bridge, we could see the river and other bridges, so the view is nice.
After the bridge, there was an entrance of the sumiyoshi grand shrine.
Actually there were four halls [本宮].
First main hall of Sumiyoshi Taisha enshrines Sokotsutsu no Onomikoto
第一本宮：底筒男命 （そこつつのをのみこと）
Second main hall of Sumiyoshi Taisha enshrines Nakatsutsu no Onomikoto
第二本宮：中筒男命 （なかつつのをのみこと）
Third main hall of Sumiyoshi Taisha enshrines Uwatsutsu no Onomikoto
第三本宮：表筒男命 （うはつつのをのみこと）
Fourth main hall of Sumiyoshi Taisha enshrines Okinagatarashihime no Mikoto = Empress Jungu.
第四本宮：息長足姫命 （おきながたらしひめのみこと）=神功皇后 （じんぐうこうごう）
Sokotsutsu no Onomikoto, Nakatsutsu no Onomikoto & Uwatsutsu no Onomikoto are called "Sumiyoshi Sanjin; 住吉三神" (=three gods of Sumiyoshi).
The style of architecture of four main halls 御本殿 is known as Sumiyoshi-zukuri; 住吉造, the oldest style of shrine architecture.
Four main halls have been designated national tresures.
Not only the architecture but also trees are wonderful in Sumiyoshi Taisha.
There is a huge tree which is called "Sennen-kusunoki; 千年楠"(=1000year-old camphor tree).
There is also another special tree which is called "Fuufu-kusunoki; 夫婦楠"(= couple tree). This tree has one root but it is divided by two. Two trees are very close and they support each other, so it looks like a couple. Tomo&Chouchou could feel the energy and power of the trees.

We went to Sumiyoshi-taisha at the end of the year, so it was almost empty. Because Japanese people visit temples or shrine during New Year's. Therefore monks were cleaning of the halls and preparing for New Year's. We felt weired. But we could take good photos without crowds. We were satisfied with visiting a famous shrine in Kansai.


Address: 2-9-89, Sumiyoshi, Sumiyoshi-ku, Osaka
大阪府大阪市住吉区住吉2-9-89

For your information,
Around New Year's: Dec.31 - Jan.3, parking lots are closed.
If you go around new year's, please go by trains.

Taga-taisha shrine in Shiga, Japan

 

Taga shrine /Taga Taisha [Japanese: 多賀大社]
on New Year's day.

Mikos were dancing under the snow.
(a miko [巫女]: a maiden in the service of a Shinto shrine)

 Tree was white with the snow.

Episode of Taga shrine [多賀大社]

Tomo&Chouchou went to Taga shrine (Taga-taisha) located in Shiga prefecture for Hatsumōde (=the first visit to the Shinto shrine on New Year's Day).
On the day when Tomo&Chouchou went to Taga Taisha, it was very cold and it snowed. Everybody was praying with umbrella under the snow.
It was very fantastic and beautiful to see the mikos dancing under the snow. 
We also enjoyed winter scenery such Japanese traditional shrine with snow. It is rare to snow in the place where Tomo&Chouchou live, so it was very impressive to see snow in New Year's. It was the good beginning of the year !


Information
Gods of Taga shrine are famous for a longevity (=long life) [Japanese: 延命長寿],
a talisman (=avoiding misfortune)[Japanese: 厄除け], or a good match [Japanese: 縁結び].

The fame of Taga-Taisha spread quickly among the samurai and the public
in the period between Kamakura and Edo.

Hideyoshi Toyotomi [Japanese: 豊臣秀吉] also prayed for his mother's disease
 at Taga Taisha then his mother's illness was cured.

Address:
604 Taga, Taga-cho, Inugami-gun, Shiga
滋賀県犬上郡多賀町多賀604

Transportation:
about 20 minutes walk from Taga Taisha-mae Station [多賀大社前駅]
on the Ohmi Railway Taga Line [近江鉄道多賀腺]
or
about 10 minutes by bus from Minami-Hikone Station [南彦根駅]
on the JR West Biwako Line [ＪＲ西琵琶湖線].