Inside the Dwelling Place of the Kami

Whatever its proportion, a shrine is most often situated in a space that brings to light its link with the natural environment. Some are located against a backdrop of forested mountains, or a majestic waterfall. Others stand within peaceful groves of trees or near a meandering stream, lulled by the sound of rustling leaves and gurgling water. And there are those surrounded by serene, lush gardens. Wherever they’re situated, a deeply spiritual ambiance permeates the Japanese Shinto shrines to inspire reverence, devotion, and prayer.

Various symbolic structures are, however, indispensable features in every shrine. These elements serve to reinforce the sacredness of the space as realms of spirituality. Perhaps the most identifiable feature of the jinja is the torii. This arch, usually consisting of two upright beams and two crossbars mark the border between the earthly domain and the spiritual realm of the kami. While most torii are constructed of wood (commonly cypress wood) and painted in iconic orange and black colors, they may come in various materials and colors.

To keep evil spirits away, the shrine’s entrance is guarded by a pair of statues of dogs or lions called komainu. In the case of the Inari shrines, however, the entrances are flanked by a pair of foxes, which are said to be the messengers of the rice god.

You can find a temizuya or chōzuya near the entrance, where visitors purify themselves as part of the etiquette when visiting shrines. This purification trough consists of a fountain where visitors can scoop water using a ladle, and wash their hands and mouth before proceeding to the main hall.

The main hall (called honden) is the kami sanctuary where its spirit is said to live. In an inner chamber, the shrine’s sacred symbolic object, or shintai, is secured from the outside world. Concealed in wrapping and cloaked in secrecy, often for centuries, no one knows exactly what the shintai in a particular shrine is.

The other structures, or rooms, in the shrine include a haiden where people pray, and a heiden, which serves as an offertory or donation room and serves as a venue for special ceremonies. Routine prayers to the kami are made at the entrance to the hall, where there is a trough in which offerings of money can be thrown, and a bell to attract the attention of the kami.

Some Shrines of Importance

Japan offers a host of attractions to hold the interest of any tourist. But for those who wish to have a glimpse into the soul of these reverential people, a visit to any of these shrines is an experience of enlightenment and understanding. The JNTO Manila Office introduces the following shrines:

Meiji Jingu

Dedicated to the deified spirits of Emperor Meiji and his consort, Empress Shoken, the shrine, and the adjacent sprawling Yoyogi Park presents a stark contrast to the bustle of the Harajuku Station. The shrine’s buildings, made of wood, were constructed in the traditional nagare-zukuri architectural style characterized by long, asymmetric gabled roofs. The vast protective forest and broad paths of the inner garden make for a tranquil Shinto space, distinct from the electric vibe of the surrounding city.

Fushimi Inari Taisha

Located in southern Kyoto, the Fushimi Inari Shrine is an important shrine in the Shinto faith. Dedicated to the Shinto rice god, Inari Okami, the shrine has long attracted the devotion of people of all ages requesting for success in business, bountiful harvests, success in business, and the hope of the fulfilment of their wishes and dreams. Inside, the many fox statues scattered all over the sacred grounds symbolize the shrine’s consecration to Inari Okami—foxes are believed to be the messengers of Inari. Behind the main shrine, the thousand vermilion torii gates enfolding the network of trails (the Senbon Torii) have made it widely recognized.

Ise Jingu

Roughly the same size as the center of Paris, Ise Shrine complex houses several buildings with the Inner Shrine (Naikū) and Outer Shrine (Gekū) considered as the two most important structures. The Inner Shrine is dedicated to Amaterasu Ōmikami, the sun goddess and traditional forebear of the Japanese imperial family. The Outer Shrine was founded as a dedication to the deity of food, clothing, and housing, Toyuke (Toyouke) Ōkami. Both shrines are outstanding representations of elegant, natural architecture distinguished by the thatched structures built in the ancient Japanese style with unpainted Japanese cypress (hinoki) as attractive curved beams or walls.

Kaichu Torii (Oouo Shrine)

Perhaps one of the most photographed, and arguably one of the most picturesque, the Kaichu Torii rests on the waters of the Ariake sea on the shores of the village of Tara in Saga, Japan. When the tide is low, visitors can approach the three iconic torii standing on a bare landscape of rocks. But when the tide rises, the wooden structures appear like a series of gates leading into the sea to a parallel dimension. The scene becomes a transcendent, spiritual sight to behold.

Kumano Nachi Taisha (Kumano Kodo)

In the remote Kii Peninsula, a network of ancient pilgrimage trails leads to the grand shrines of Kumano Kodo. Dotted with thermal hot springs, the sacred Mount Koya looming in the distance—making it a site of awe-inspiring beauty. Along this sacred path and acknowledged as one of the most sacred places in Japan, Kumano Nachi Taisha is believed to be the burial place of the Japanese god Izanami. The stunning vermilion shrine, founded by Emperor Jinmu, Japan’s first emperor, reaches out to the sky against the backdrop of the Nachi Falls.