Tokyoahead - Oyama Jinja Shrine, Kanazawa, Japan

The Oyama Jinja is one of the most famous Shrines in Kanazawa. Specially the gate to the shrine with the stained windows are well known. The location in the center of the city and the proximity to the city castle and famous park make it a popular place to visit. The gate, as you can see on this first picture, ist standing tall above the stairs that lead from the street level to the shrine area. The influence of international styles give this gate a unique look.

A wooden plate at the entrance explains more about the history of both the shrine and its gate. The carvings inside the gate feature traditional Japaneses motifs. Passing through the gate, you will see the main building with a quite large space empty in front of it.

Right hand side before the main building you can find the usual fountain to cleanse yourself by washing your hands before entering the temple. The temple is additionally protected from evil by two tall statues in front of it.

People come and say short prayers while clapping their hands at the front of the temple. For a small donation you can draw a fortune telling from a box and the fold and knot the paper you received on a special holder. Those will be disposed of ritually later by the monks to make sure the fortune becomes true. The inside of the temple is reserved mainly for worship and ceremonies and is usually off-limits to the tourists.