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Ueno Jinja
Had many Tori gates inscribed with kanji. Tori gates are symbolic of transitioning from mundane to sacred ground. You walk through the gates to approach an alter (not pictured) guarded by a dog statue where you could light inscense.
Hanshin Jinja
This shrine in my opinion was the cooler one of the two. This shrine especially was like a transformation in time. There were many buildings, all old style architecture and everything was weathered and ancient looking.
The circular symbol appeared on the horse and on banners at the main alter. It's called a Triple Tomoe, representing a sort of trinity in a similar way of Christianity's own.
Visiting these beautiful sacred places was a step away in time. It was as if the whole outside world of modern day Japan melted away because you were seeing nothing but ancient structures that have been there for many many years.
Hope you liked it! Thanks for reading!
Yesterday, I rode my bike around town and using a map I searched for Shrines, or Jinja! Nishinomiya, just on this half of town has at least a half a dozen. I am not familiar with this town, and only found two. They are difficult to find if you don't know exactly where you are going or what to expect to see.
You certainly find yourself surprised. Following a map the good ol' fashioned way is definitely difficult! There were numerous times that I second guessed my location and kept having to consult the map search for landmarks. The good thing is that I was able to get around, and make it home.
The first Jinja I found was the Ueno Jinja, which was very symmetrical and pretty. That one was quite different from Hanshin Jinja, which was inside a huge walled garden and had many various buildings. Here are some photos I took! Please enjoy :)
Ueno Jinja
Had many Tori gates inscribed with kanji. Tori gates are symbolic of transitioning from mundane to sacred ground. You walk through the gates to approach an alter (not pictured) guarded by a dog statue where you could light inscense.
This shrine in my opinion was the cooler one of the two. This shrine especially was like a transformation in time. There were many buildings, all old style architecture and everything was weathered and ancient looking.
The circular symbol appeared on the horse and on banners at the main alter. It's called a Triple Tomoe, representing a sort of trinity in a similar way of Christianity's own.
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| Clockwise from top left: A large monolith that depicting many kanji, one of many similar structures dotted around the inside of the complex, another Tori gate with another alter through it, and a purification fountain where you cleanse your hands as part of a ritual many do when visiting some shrines. |
Visiting these beautiful sacred places was a step away in time. It was as if the whole outside world of modern day Japan melted away because you were seeing nothing but ancient structures that have been there for many many years.
Hope you liked it! Thanks for reading!
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