Dazaifu, classic grounds of Man'yō~Part 3 Kamado shrine

Leaving Tenkai Inari shrine, walking up the hill. It is a half an hour walk to Kamado shrine.
2018, Aug. 12th Dazaifu, Fukuoka

Mount Hōman can be seen in the distance.
2018, Aug. 12th Dazaifu, Fukuoka

Continuing climbing.
2018, Aug. 12th Dazaifu, Fukuoka

Looking back, it is getting very high.
2018, Aug. 12th Dazaifu, Fukuoka

The torī of Kamado shrine in sight.
2018, Aug. 12th Dazaifu, Fukuoka

Going up the stone steps, and continuing on the path to the main shrine.
2018, Aug. 12th Dazaifu, Fukuoka

Many cherry blossom trees line the path. Kamado shrine is a famous spot to view cherry blossoms in spring, and also, cherry blossom is designed as the shrine's crest.
2018, Aug. 12th Dazaifu, Fukuoka

On the right side of the path are the ruins of Kamado-san temple. It is told that Saichō, the founder of the Tendai school of Buddhism, prayed here for safe navigation before he sailed on one of the missions to Tang China. Only foundation stones remain now but it is said that it was a major temple with more than 300 shukubos at its peak.
2018, Aug. 12th Dazaifu, Fukuoka

The second torī. Kamado shrine is also known to be a famous place to see autumn leaves. There is a local custom called "Momiji-age", of dedicating the shrine a maple tree on one's critical age. These trees will color the shrine beautifully in autumn.
2018, Aug. 12th Dazaifu, Fukuoka

On the left side of the path, there is the Shikibu Inari shrine, an branch shrine.
2018, Aug. 12th Dazaifu, Fukuoka

On the top of another set of stone steps, there is a "shinrokuen", where some deers are kept.
2018, Aug. 12th Dazaifu, Fukuoka

The path under beautiful green leaves.
2018, Aug. 12th Dazaifu, Fukuoka

Climbing the last steps.
2018, Aug. 12th Dazaifu, Fukuoka

At the top is the main shrine of Kamado shrine.
2018, Aug. 12th Dazaifu, Fukuoka

First cleansing hands at the "Chōzuya".
2018, Aug. 12th Dazaifu, Fukuoka

The Haiden, worship hall, is "Kirizuma-zukuri", a style of gable roof. The main shrine buildings that exist now were built in 1927, and were beautifully restored as a commemoration of the shrine's 1350th anniversary in 2013.
2018, Aug. 12th Dazaifu, Fukuoka

There is a pair of Komainu sitting in front of the Haiden.
2018, Aug. 12th Dazaifu, Fukuoka

The other Komainu.
2018, Aug. 12th Dazaifu, Fukuoka

The "Mizukagami", water mirror, in front of the Haiden. It is told that reflecting one's self in the "Mizukagami" will purify their heart, and praying with a pure and honest heart will make one's wish come true, so it is good to purify yourself with this "Mizukagami" before going to the Haiden.
2018, Aug. 12th Dazaifu, Fukuoka

In front of the Haiden, praying.
2018, Aug. 12th Dazaifu, Fukuoka

The main shrine buildings from the side. A great structure build with white cedar. The tree here is called "Saikachi-no-ki" and wishing for matchmaking at this tree will make your wish come true.
2018, Aug. 12th Dazaifu, Fukuoka

The Honden, the main hall, is "Nagare-zukuri", a style of gable roof.
2018, Aug. 12th Dazaifu, Fukuoka

A pair of stones called "Aikei-no-iwa", next to the Honden.
2018, Aug. 12th Dazaifu, Fukuoka

It is said that if you can walk from this stone to the other stone with your eyes shut, your love will succeed in love.
2018, Aug. 12th Dazaifu, Fukuoka

The tree named "Ogatama-no-ki", near "Aikei-no-iwa", is believed to bring good fortune and a good match.
2018, Aug. 12th Dazaifu, Fukuoka

The branch shrine, Gokoku shrine is under repair works.
2018, Aug. 12th Dazaifu, Fukuoka

Looking around the shrine.
2018, Aug. 12th Dazaifu, Fukuoka

The Goshuin of Kamado shrine.
2018, Aug. 12th Dazaifu, Fukuoka

There is an observation platform behind the shrine office.
2018, Aug. 12th Dazaifu, Fukuoka

A great view of Dazaifu city.
2018, Aug. 12th Dazaifu, Fukuoka

"Kōfuku-no-ki", where it is said that writing your wish of love on a paper strip and tying it to it will make the wish come true.
2018, Aug. 12th Dazaifu, Fukuoka

Wind bells making a beautiful sound.
2018, Aug. 12th Dazaifu, Fukuoka

The branch shrine on the left of the Hainden is the Musō Gonnosuke shrine, dedicated to Musō Gonnosuke who was a samurai, and the traditional founder of Jōdō. Behind it, there is another branch shrine, Susa shrine, but it is under repair works.
2018, Aug. 12th Dazaifu, Fukuoka

A small pond next to Musō Gonnosuke shrine.
2018, Aug. 12th Dazaifu, Fukuoka

Tying the red strings and writing one's wish on a ema is said to "tie up" good relations and make the wish come true.
2018, Aug. 12th Dazaifu, Fukuoka

Going down the slope next to the pond.
2018, Aug. 12th Dazaifu, Fukuoka

Outside the shrine. Going up a hill for a while.
2018, Aug. 12th Dazaifu, Fukuoka

A torī, surrounded by trees, in sight.
2018, Aug. 12th Dazaifu, Fukuoka

It is the trailhead leading to the top of Mount Hōman, where the Jōgū, the rear shrine of Kamado shrine, is.
2018, Aug. 12th Dazaifu, Fukuoka

On the left of the trailhead, there is the Jōgū of Shikibu Inari shrine, an branch shrine of Kamado shrine.
2018, Aug. 12th Dazaifu, Fukuoka

It is on the top of steep stone steps.
2018, Aug. 12th Dazaifu, Fukuoka

The mountain trail continuing on inside the forest. In ancient times, worshippers climbing the mountain purified themselves in the river on the right, before starting their climb.
2018, Aug. 12th Dazaifu, Fukuoka

Turning back here. From here to the top of the mountain will be about a 2 hour climb.
2018, Aug. 12th Dazaifu, Fukuoka

Going back down the hill.
2018, Aug. 12th Dazaifu, Fukuoka

Back at Kamado shrine.
2018, Aug. 12th Dazaifu, Fukuoka

Not as much as Dazaifu Tenmangū, but many visitors.
2018, Aug. 12th Dazaifu, Fukuoka

Going back the path to the shrine entrance. The shrine office seen from below.
2018, Aug. 12th Dazaifu, Fukuoka

Going through the torīs of Shikibu Inari shrine.
2018, Aug. 12th Dazaifu, Fukuoka

Shikibu Inari shrine in sight.
2018, Aug. 12th Dazaifu, Fukuoka

Shikibu Inari shrine enshrines Ukanomitama-no-ōkami, known as the "Inari", the god of good harvest.
2018, Aug. 12th Dazaifu, Fukuoka

The slope next to Shikibu Inari shrine also leads to the trailhead of Mount Hōman.
2018, Aug. 12th Dazaifu, Fukuoka

Going through torīs.
2018, Aug. 12th Dazaifu, Fukuoka

Back at the path to the shrine entrance.
2018, Aug. 12th Dazaifu, Fukuoka

Leaving Kamado shrine.
2018, Aug. 12th Dazaifu, Fukuoka

Beneath a summer sky, going back to Dazaifu Tenmangū.
2018, Aug. 12th Dazaifu, Fukuoka