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Oyama Afuri Shrine

Oyama Afuri Shrine

This ancient shrine is said to have been built over 2,000 years ago. As a sacred site revered by many warlords, such as those who partook in rainmaking rituals, and pilgrimages to the shrine became very popular during the Edo period. In the 28th year of the Heisei period (2016), the pilgrimage to Mount Oyama was recognized as a piece of important Japanese heritage, and the view from Afuri Shrine became a two-star Michelin-starred site.Admire the Shonan plains with views stretching as far as Sagami Bay and Enoshima on the horizon — rated two-stars by the Michelin Guide.Just inside the tori gate entrance is one of Japan's three greatest lion statues, Oyama-Shishi.This beautiful teahouse was designed by Yasushi Horibe and constructed by the shrine's own architect, Yukio Uchida. Enjoy the terrace seating with stunning views as far as Sagami Bay while enjoying their green tea tirmasu or other treats.

Temples & Shrines Tokaido Koshu kaido KANAGAWA
Tsurugaoka Hachimangu

Tsurugaoka Hachimangu

Alongside Usa and Ishimizu, Tsuruoka Hachimangu Shrine is one of the major Hachimangu shrines in Japan. In the 6th year of the Kouhei Era (1063), Minamoto no Yoriyoshi returned after subduing the Oshu region and entered Kamakura, where he secretly transferred Ishimizu Hachimangu Shrine to another shrine in Yui Township Tsuruoka near the coast and called it Tsuruoka Wakamiya Shrine. Later in the 4th year of the Jisho Era (1180), Minamoto no Yoritomo entered Kamakura and relocated the shrine to Kitayama in Kobayashi Township (the current site). In the 2nd year of the Kenkyuu Era (1191), the shrine pavilion was built on the hillside of the Mount Daijinyama, and the current spectacular upper and lower palaces were built. Since then, the shrine has been the head of the Kamakura Shogunate's religious order and has been revered as the deity of the Minamoto clan and the guardian deity of the warrior class. The present main shrine was rebuilt in 1828 by Ienari Tokugawa, the 11th shogun of the Edo Shogunate, and is designated as a National Important Cultural Property along with the regent shrine Wakamiya. Deities: Emperor Ojin, Himejin, and Empress Jingu. Regularly held festival day: September 15. The shrine has a Wakamiya regent shrine, Takeuchi Shrine, Maruyama Inari Shrine, Shirahata Shrine, Soreisha Shrine, Hatagami Benzaiten Shrine, and an Imamiya Shrine and Yui Wakamiya Shrine outside of the shrine grounds.An imposing shinto shrine founded in 1063, Tsurugaoka Hachimangu is the spiritual center of Japan's ancient capital Kamakura, so important that the city was built around it. In spring, the 1.8 km approach from the station is lined with vibrant pink cherry blossoms.The best time to visit a shrine is in the morning, so start your day with a visit and breathe in the crisp morning air.

Temples & Shrines Tokaido Koshu kaido KANAGAWA
Samukawa Shrine

Samukawa Shrine

This shrine pays worship to the nations only guardian deity that protects all eight cardinal and ordinal directions, and removes misfortunes originating from geographical features, house layout, cardinal direction or daily bad luck. After undergoing purification, visitors can enter the “Kantakeyama Shinen" located in the inner garden of the main shrine. The Japanese garden features "Namba no Koike," which has a long history, a teahouse where you can enjoy green tea, and also a museum.

Temples & Shrines Tokaido Koshu kaido KANAGAWA
Togakuin Temple (Azalea Temple)

Togakuin Temple (Azalea Temple)

Shiboku-san Togakuin Temple is a temple of the Tendai sect of Buddhism, and there are few records of its history. Passing through the Niomon Gate, visitors will enter a manicured azalea garden and continue along the approach to the main hall, which was rebuilt during the Ansei Era. Various events such as Zen meditation sessions, sutra reading sessions, and numerous other workshops are held here. The events are also posted on YouTube and other social networking sites.

Temples & Shrines Tokaido Koshu kaido KANAGAWA
Hase-dera Temple

Hase-dera Temple

Hasedera Temple is a famous historical temple that enshrines the statue of Hase Kannon as its principal deity. The main temple building houses the Kannon Museum, a garden, and offers visitors a chance to become familiar with the scenic beauty of Kamakura. The solemn "Kannon-do" and the temple grounds surrounded by beautiful trees and ponds, and lanterns distributed to visitors, encase the area in a beautiful lights that offers a sense of connection. A private tour of the temple grounds is also held by the priests of Hasedera Temple. In addition to the guided tours of the Keidai required sites, visitors will be show through the museum and also have the opportunity to visit Kannon in the main hall up close and personal.Originally established in 736 when the Kannon stature was said to have washed ashore, the most recent construction dates back to 1985.Enjoy a panoramic view overlooking Kamakura's coastal city while taking a leisurely break.Opened in 1980, the Kannon Musem exhibits the Kannon Bodhisattva, the principal mage of Hasedera Temple, as well as many other ancient artefacts.According to legend, the nine-meter wooden statue of the Kannon (goddess of mercy) you can see here was carved in 721 CE in Nara, then cast into the sea, washing up in 736. In June and July, colourful hydrangeas bloom around the temple.The precincts with the majestic Kannon-do hall and lovely trees and ponds are enveloped in a light that “connects,” like the lanterns given to those who visit.

Temples & Shrines Tokaido Koshu kaido KANAGAWA
Sasuke Inari Shrine

Sasuke Inari Shrine

Please make sure you obey the rules and act appropriately when visiting.Located in "Kamakura's hidden village", with red torii gates and white foxes enshrined throughout the grounds, the area is a place filled with a mysterious atmosphere. Also known by the name "Inari of success", it is a famous 'power spot' where many go to wish for promotions and good luck.Torii represent a dividing line (kekkai) between worlds. The entrance to the sacred Sasuke Inari Shrine sees 49 Torii — each step through one represents an individual's growing distance from the secular.

Temples & Shrines Tokaido Koshu kaido KANAGAWA
Soshu Manazuru Kibune Shrine

Soshu Manazuru Kibune Shrine

Okuninushi, the deity of Kibune Shrine, is a god who bestows the “divine virtue of knots,” which is indispensable in our lives. Since ancient times, he has been known as the god of good fortune, and, as seen in the myth of the white hare of Inaba, he is believed to have paved the way for the beginning of medicine and medical science. He is always pouring out boundless love so that people can live happy lives. The Kibune Shrine Festival is held for two days in July every year. It is famous for its magnificent boat festival and has been designated as Japan's important folk cultural property.

Temples & Shrines Tokaido Koshu kaido KANAGAWA
Hakone-jinja Shrine

Hakone-jinja Shrine

Hakone Shrine is an ancient shrine celebrating its 1266th anniversary. Founded in 757, the first year of the Tenpyo-Hoji Era, at the beginning of the Nara Period (710-794), when Mamaki Shonin, who was in ascetic training on Mount Hakone, was entrusted by the Great God of Hakone to the shrine at its current location by Lake Ashi. During the Kamakura period, Minamoto no Yoritomo deeply worshipped Hakone Shrine, giving birth to the custom of nishomode (pilgrimage to two shrines). Since then, the shrine has flourished as a place of reverence for warriors such as the regent Hojo and the warlord Tokugawa Ieyasu, as well as a sacred place for Shugen (Japanese mountain asceticism). In modern times, with the construction of the Hakone Road, Hakone became a sacred place of worship for the common people, and belief in Mount Hakone as a deity highly virtuous for protecting against bad luck, fulfilling one's desire, and ensuring traffic safety became even more popular. The approach from the Heiwa-no-torii (peaceful gateway) by Lake Ashinoko to the main shrine is flanked by rows of cedar trees more than 600 years old, giving the shrine a majestic appearance, behind the vermilion-lacquered Gongen-zukuri main shrine building is a pure forest of himeshara, a natural treasure of Kanagawa Prefecture, and the Gongen Mitarashi pond and Lake Ashi below reflect the vermilion Peace Gate and the sacred Mount Fuji, surrounding the shrine with beautiful nature. Many visitors from around the world come to pay their respects at the Kuzuryu Shrine (Shingu and Hongu), which is a shrine revered not only for its good fortune and prosperity, but also for its protection of money, prosperity in business, and match-making, particularly during the Tsukinamisai held at the main shrine on the 13th of each month. [Divine virtues] Good luck repelling of bad luck, fulfillment of one’s desires (protection against bad luck), traffic safety, match-making, family safety, and business prosperity On July 31st, the shrine organizes the Ashinoko Kosui Matsuri Festival to celebrate a legendary dragon. Monks sail the lake on pirate ships offering red rice to the depths below. Floating lanterns illuminate the lake waters while fireworks light the skies above.Lake Ashinoko Summer Festival Week: Hakone Summer Festival offers a variety of events such as the biggest annual festival of Hakone Shrine with Shinto celebrations and rituals, fireworks, and more. Many fireworks will be launched at a total of six fireworks festivals, adding color to the summer Hakone sky.

Temples & Shrines Tokaido Koshu kaido KANAGAWA
Migawari Fudoson Kawasaki Honzan

Migawari Fudoson Kawasaki Honzan

During the outbreak of an epidemic in Ebara-gun, Musashi Province, in the Genroku era (1688-1704), Yuten Shonin (a holy priest), who was on pilgrimage, taught the local people to revere Acala, a fierce Buddhist deity. Once they began to worship Acala the plague disappeared. Migawari Fudoson Temple began when one of its halls was built to enshrine Acala in order to give thanks for such a miracle. Nowadays, worshippers visit all year round in order to pray for traffic safety and to ward off evil. Visitors can also pray at the temple for family safety, business prosperity, academic success, and general good luck. The main temple is in Kawasaki City in Kanagawa Prefecture, with branches in Atami City, Shizuoka Prefecture, Yokohama City, Kanagawa Prefecture, and Suginami City, Tokyo.

Temples & Shrines Tokaido Koshu kaido KANAGAWA