Visiting shrines in Ōmisoka~Part 2 Shikaumi shrine

Getting on JR Kashī line from Kashī station.
2019, Dec. 31st Fukuoka, Fukuoka

Arriving at Saitozaki station by the sea. About 15 minutes from Kashī station.
2019, Dec. 31st Fukuoka, Fukuoka

Saitozaki station is the nearest station from Shikaumi shrine, but is about 5km away. To the island of Shikanoshima it is about 10 minutes by bus or15 minutes by Fukuoka Municipal Ferry.
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This time, walking to Shikanoshima.
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It is about 5km.
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Soon after leaving the station, turning right. This road leads direct to Shikanoshima.
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Walked about 3km.
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The sea can be seen through the pine forest.
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The other side of the sea is the island of Nokonoshima.
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Soon the island of Shikanoshima can be seen.
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Looking back. The other side of Hakata bay is central Fukuoka.
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The island of Shikanoshima is a land-tied island connected to mainland by a shoal called Uminonakamichi. It is known where the Gold Seal of the King of Na was found but is also known as a popular and easily accessible resort.
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Walking on the shoal and going over Shikanoshima bridge. Before this bridge was built, the shoal went under water at high tides and Shikanoshima was cut off from mainland.
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About an hour walk from the station.
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Soon after reaching Shikanoshima the first torī of Shikaumi shrine will be in sight.
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This path leads to Shikaumi shrine.
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Continuing on. It is an average street with houses on both sides.
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About 400m to Shikaumi shrine.
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Shikaumi shrine has been worshiped as a god of purification. Before entering the shrine, one must purify their mind and body using Oshioi, sand used to clean impurities.
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On top of the stone steps is the second torī.
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Soon after the second torī is an branch shrine, Inyaku-sha. It enshrines Kunado-no-kami, Amenoiwakusufune-no-kami and Kagutsuchi-no-kami. These three dieties were originally enshrined at the air base that was in Gannosu which is between Shikanoshima and mainland.
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A stone made Hōkyōintō. A Hōkyōintō is a pagoda that contains Buddhist scriptures wishing for peace in the past, present and future. This Hōkyōintō was built in 1347.
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On the path to the main shrine, bamboo latern which will be lit up this night is being prepared.
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The Rō-mon seen on top of the stone steps.
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In front of the stone steps is a pair of Komainu. This one on the right.
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The Komainu on the left.
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On the right is an branch shrine, Yama-no shrine. The enshrined diety is Ōyamatsumi-no-kami, a god of the mountains. From ancient times, people knew the mountains bring rich fisheries so they enshrined the god of mountains here.
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The Rō-mon.
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A small arched bridge in front of the Rō-mon. Usually people can not go over it, but it is used in ritual ceremonies.
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Going through the Rō-mon.
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The Rō-mon from the rear.
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The chōzuya, a watershed to cleanse your hands.
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On top of the last stone steps is the main shrine. The haiden and the honden in behind.
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The hengaku with the shrine name carried on the haiden.
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Worshipping. Oshioi is here too.
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The haiden from the side.
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Behind the haiden is the honden.
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The honden from the rear.
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On the right of the haiden is a yōhaijo. It is a place to worship Ōtake shrine and Otake shrine on the other side of the sea, and also the Ise Grand shrine and the Three Palace Sanctuaries in the east from distance. The stones here are called "Kame-ishi" and is said they were the golden turltes that Shika-myōjin and Katsuma-myōjin were riding when they appeared before the conquest to Silla of Empress Jingū.
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In front of the haiden is Shikanotsuno-dō. It contains more than 10 thousand deer antlers dedicated to the shrine.
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Beside the Shikanotsuno-dō are bronze statues of deers. It is said Empress Jingū dedicated antlers when she hunted deers in Tsushima and since then antlers were dedicated when prayers were answered.
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Behind the honden, there are branch shrines. From the left Kōjin-sha, Gion-sha, Daijingū-sha and Sō-sha.
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An branch shrine, Isosaki-sha.
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From the left Inari-sha, Akiba-sha and Matsuo-sha.
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The Imamiya shrine. It enshrines Utsushikanasaku-no-mikoto, the three Sumiyoshi gods and Azumi-no-isora. The Azumi family that serves the shrine is said to be the offsprings of Utsushikanasaku-no-mikoto and Utsushikanasaku-no-mikoto is believed to be the guardian deity of those who serve for the three Watatsumi gods.
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The honden from the left.
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Strange stones dedicated to the shrine are placed around a tree.
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Next to the chōzuya is an exhibition room. Some treasures owned by the shrine are exhibited and it also serves as a rest house.
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Goshuin is available at the shrine office next to the Rō-mon.
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The oshioi in front of the juyosho can be taken home.
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Taking it home.
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Going through the Rō-mon and heading back.
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The path from the shrine leads straight to the sea.
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Hakata bay and the city of Fukuoka can be seen in the distance.
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Goint through the torī and leaving Shikaumi shrine.
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Going up the slope right next to the torī. The building seen up front is the exhibition room of Shikaumi shrine.
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In the middle of the slope is the back gate of Shikaumi shrine. The path leads behind Imamiya shrine.
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Heading for Shiomi park. The road turns left but the path branching off to the right is a shortcut to Shiomi park.
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Going up a steap slope. There is another path that split to the left that leads to Kaen-zuka. Kaen-zuka is a place where Buddhist monks prayed for the surrender of the Yuan dynasty of China during the Mongol invasion in 1281.
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It is a paved road, but very steep.
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Approaching Shiomi park.
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Shiomi park. About 30 minutes from Shikaumi shrine.
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Shiomi park is located at the highest point in Shikanoshima, about 170m above sea level.
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An observation platform about 10m high.
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The east side is Hakata bay and Uminonakamichi connecting Shikanoshima and mainland can be seen.
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The city of Fukuoka in the distance.
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Momochihama, where Fukuoka Tower and Fukuoka Dome is, can be seen too.
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The island of Nokonoshima can be seen south.
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To the west is Itoshima peninsula. Many ships come and go.
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The view isn't so good on the north, but Iki Island can be seen in the distance.
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Also the island of Okinoshima, about 65km north, can be seen. Okinoshima is said to be a sacred island and the whole island is a part of Munakata Taisha.
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In the north east is the Genkai sea.
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Islands such as Ōshima, Aishima and Jishima can be seen.
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It would be great to see the sunset from here but leaving before it gets dark.
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Going down the slope and back at Shikaumi shrine.
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Walking back.
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The path in front of the Shikaumi shrine leads directly to the Shikanoshima terminal of Fukuoka Municipal Ferry.
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On the wall of the terminal is a monument of the gold seal discovered at Shikanoshima.
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Seeing the last sunset of this year from the ferry terminal.
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There is still time until the ferry leaves. So returning to the Shikaumi shrine.
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Some of the bamboo lanterns are lit up.
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The path to the shrine lit up by bamboo lanterns.
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The stone steps in front of the Rō-mon are lit up too.
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A lanterns hung on the Rō-mon.
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The haiden in the dark. This year is ending.
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The city in the distance is lit up too.
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Leaving Shikaumi shrine again.
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A beautiful night scape of Fukuoka can be seen from near the ferry terminal.
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The ferry terminal at night.
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A ticket to Hakata port.
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In the waiting room, there is a replica of the gold seal of the King of Na.
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Getting on the Fukuoka Municipal Ferry "Kin-in".
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It is about 30 minutes to Hakata port. On the way it stops at Saitozaki but still faster than bus that takes more than an hour.
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On the right is a beautiful night scape.
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Docking at Hakata port.
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Getting off at Hakata port. There are buse operated to Tenjin or Hakata station, but walking.
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To the closest subway station, Nakasu-kawabata station, is about a 20 minute walk.
2019, Dec. 31st Fukuoka, Fukuoka