Visiting Kumanokotai Shrine
The entrance to the shrine
Kumanokotai Shrine was one of the places that we visited in December. It is located on the border line of Nagano and Gunma prefecture. It was about a half an hour drive from Karuizawa up the mountain road.
This was a very unique shrine, On the Nagano side shrine is called KumanoKotai Shrine, and Gunma side is called Kumano Shrine. Here is enshrined the Holly sprits of Kumano.
climbing up the stairs
It was a short trek to the shrine but the steps were quite steep. Luckily Tiger girl was more then willing to climb up the flight of stairs and I didn’t need to carry her.
top down shot of the staircase
Lanterns lining the path
I love the design of the lanterns that were aligning the staircase. I’m sure it would certainly make the path look really cozy at night.
The view at the top
At the top of the staircase we were saw these two buildings. One of the buildings was a hall while the other one housed the God- Izanami no Mikoto, Yamatotakeru no Mikoto
The wishing board
Like most Japanese shrines there was a board where one can ask favours from the GODs. You need to purchase the plague or special offering paper and write your wish on it before attaching it to the board. On the adjourning wall there were many plagues with the name of various Japanese households who have donated to the shrine.
A table which was used to sell tailsmans
Besides penning down your wishes you could also purchase tailsmans for good luck, good marriage, kids studies etc. Unfortunately the shop was closed when we visited the place so I couldn’t see how they really looked like.
Have you visited a Shrine before?
January 28, 2014 @ 5:45 pm
I’ve never visited a shrine before although we were at the Met in NYC last week and explored a pharaoh’s tomb with the kids. Bringing them on adventures like this is so much fun, thanks for sharing.
January 28, 2014 @ 8:59 pm
Whao.. visiting a pharoah’s tomb. There was a similar exhibit here last year at the Art an Science museum but we missed it. Maybe another time if it does come back. Thanks for dropping by this week
January 28, 2014 @ 5:55 pm
Great photos – I love it when you take us on tour!
January 28, 2014 @ 6:03 pm
Hari OM
I love that ‘top down’ shot. I have been to a number of shrines, but in India and then of course to Christian ones in Europe and Aboriginal sacred sites in Australia. The last ones are the ones perhaps I got the most from because I visit for spiritual reasons…. and they do not have shops offering ‘bought blessings’.
You are forming such wonderful experiences and memories for your children. Blessings, YAM xx
January 28, 2014 @ 6:36 pm
I have traveled around japan and seen many shrines but not have this particular shrine
January 28, 2014 @ 7:10 pm
I have never visited a shrine before but I always find the architectural design so intriguing.
January 28, 2014 @ 7:15 pm
What a neat place. The lanterns are my favorite as well. It looks like it was a cold day.
January 28, 2014 @ 8:37 pm
It looks like a great place to visit, one that could be an awesome experience. Very nice pictures as well.
Thanks for sharing them with all of us.
Have a lovely day!!!
January 28, 2014 @ 9:02 pm
Thanks for sharing these photos. Makes me want to visit Japan all the more! 🙂
January 28, 2014 @ 10:16 pm
I’ve never visited a shrine before, but with your beautiful photos, I feel like I visited this one! Really, you take wonderful photos.
January 28, 2014 @ 10:57 pm
Gorgeous photos. Interesting location.
January 28, 2014 @ 11:25 pm
What great photos! Happy W.W
Cheers,
Char
January 29, 2014 @ 4:11 am
This is such a beautiful place indeed. Those lanterns all lined up are so awesome. What camera are you using Dom? Clear shots.
January 29, 2014 @ 12:23 pm
I don’t remember if I visited a shrine before maybe I have but I wasn’t sure if it was a shrine lol.
Nice capture of the places too, it’s nice to go a place like that where you can offer a prayer for different kind of things you wanted.
January 29, 2014 @ 1:37 pm
Neat pictures! No, I’ve never visited a shrine before.
January 29, 2014 @ 6:12 pm
I’ve never visited a shrine before. I don’t know if there are any here in Kentucky. I’d love to visit Japan though to see such a different culture.
January 29, 2014 @ 8:09 pm
I would love to visit a Shrine, the one you went to is absolutely beautiful. Hopefully you can go back when the shop is open.
January 29, 2014 @ 9:09 pm
I have visited a religious shrine here in the Philippines but I have not visited a Japanese one.
January 30, 2014 @ 2:59 am
Hi Dominique and hi everyone!
That’s my first wordless-wordfull wednesday on this blog!
I’m Wieczora (◔‿◔), from wieczorama-fotografie from Berlin of Gemany.
Thanks for hosting this nice project and happy evening.
January 30, 2014 @ 10:23 am
@Wieczora,
thanks for visiting. Nice having visitors from Germany. Ein schönes Wochenende
January 30, 2014 @ 3:03 am
I’ve visited a few shrines on our visit to Tokyo, but that was years ago, and I can’t wait to go back!
January 30, 2014 @ 5:53 am
Looks like an interesting place to visit. Enjoy the rest of your day!
January 30, 2014 @ 6:04 pm
No i haven’t visited but my students would share with me their experiences too and the difference of a shrine from a temple. I would love to see this for real in the future and if I had the opportunity to visit Japan, I’d like to explore Kyoto 🙂
February 3, 2014 @ 4:11 am
What a beautiful place to explore! I am interested about the tailsmans.