Started way back in 211 CE, this Shinto Shrine Temple complex is very old and was founded here when this area was on the coastline. Some of the temples are dedicated to the three sea gods, and one is dedicated to the founder, Empress Jingu. Many more are found on this site celebrating poetry, music and even Sumo. This Shrine Complex is the head of all the Sumiyoshi shrines in Japan. It is considered one of the top three of the over 2300 Sumiyoshi shrines in the country. Sumiyoshi Shrines are Shinto Shrines that are mostly dedicated to protecting fisherman All three sea gods are represented here, the bottom, middle and surface gods of the sea. We did a few different things. First we visited the good fortune shrine which is also the one for first timers to visit. We bowed twice, clapped twice, made an offering and then meditated for a few seconds. We completed this ceremony with one last bow. This shrine had two bunnies situated to the side to represent good fortune, longevity and good luck. We also took three stones from the rock garden. Not just any stones, we had to pick stones that had writing on them. We took these stones to the front of the complex and we exchanged them for amulets.
Walking to the train we saw this fine set of flowers. The owner came out while we were admiring them and we gave her big smiles and thumbs up
A bunny bush coming out of an egg
Some magnolias blooming
Orchids
Flowers lined the streets all the way to the train station
A ticket agent opened up a secret panel and reached over to the ticket machine to help us
A handy unbrella holder on the bike
More blooms on the way to the shrine
It is in a quiet area of Osaka
Large lanterns
Made of stone and richly decorated
A bit sinister looking
Dragons
A small bridge
The bigger bridge
Great weather for a visit
Tiny daffodils
Nice copper roof on top of the entry
Thatched roofs
Ceremonial arrows. One was for prosperity, place it in your business for one year and another was for exorcism of evil spirits, also good for one year
Prayers from visitors
More prayers along the side of a shrine
Classic old architecture
Two bunnies, longevity, prosperity and good luck
Lucky us
A beautiful door
The details were incredible
This was a very popular shrine
Nestled in the pine trees
A gate into another area of the complex
Cats in suits welcome us in
Two cats are better than one
Great details everywhere
Abother red gate
A red-orange shrine
Little bags to put out three stones into
So many to choose from
I have my three
A shrine built from large wooden beams
Lots of banners back here
This sweet smelling tree was propped up by the long poles
A single slab of rock with inscription
Idyllic
The dogs get dressed up
This one has a bone
We have reached the Cat temple
An army of tiny cats!
This one was not open
There were water features all throughout the complex
Very fun and interesting
Big bundles of rope
A huge gate
A very old tree with lightning bolt symbols hanging off the rope
We have worked out was over to a different entrance by the red bridge
A beautiful setting
The bridge is tricky to climb
Very steep
Grrrrrrr
More lanterns as we make our way out
TeamLeip
Panels showing precession
Panel showing the sea
