[Mie/Kumano] One of Japan's oldest shrines, recorded in the Nihon Shoki

⛩ Hananoiwaya Shrine
📍 Kumano City, Mie Prefecture

The enshrined deity is Izanami-no-Mikoto.
Upon entering the shrine grounds, you're greeted by the overwhelming presence of a towering 45-meter-tall rock, the "Goshintai."
The fact that there is no main shrine building, and that the massive rock itself is the Goshintai, evokes the spirit of ancient nature worship.💭

Looking up at the rock as if looking up at the sky, I felt a sense of mysticism and awe.☺️
The air was clear from the moment I passed through the torii gate, creating a special place that was quiet yet powerful.✨

The grounds are connected to the Kumano Kodo, a World Heritage Site, and you can truly experience the depth of Kumano's nature and history.

Praying in front of the rock, I felt a sense of tranquility, away from everyday life.

I wrote a votive plaque and received a goshuin stamp ☺️

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📌 130 Kamiji, Arima-cho, Kumano City, Mie Prefecture
⏱ Free to visit

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Post by もぐもぐかゆ | Aug 31, 2025