Jamie said this is probably the most holiest ground for the Shinto Practice (you would consider it a religion, but the it is not). It is a shrine to the Sun God, from who the Imperial family are descedents. The are a few other shrines to lesser gods. We first crossed over the river on a bridge that takes one from the real world to the spiritual world. We walked to the shrine of the Wind God, first, which is one building shrine in the same architectural style as the major shrines.
We then walked over to the main Inner Shrine to the Sun God, which is the third building behind a gate and an intermediate building. One can't get inside the gate so the view of the main shrine is limited to a part of the roof and its golden trim. In addition, no photography is allowed. Jamie says only monks every get to see inside the main shrine, which is suppose to contain the "mirror" used to blind the sun god when she went into hiding in a cave thus darkening the earth. Legend says that after she was blind, the commoners dragged her out of the cave and restored light to the earth. Note, all of these shrines are on the same rebuilding cycle described in yesterday's post.
The last photo before going into the "no photography allowed" area.
We left the shrine grounds, crossed back over the bridge and explored the old town, where the faithful partied after their visit to the shrine. It is a touristy area of small shops and restaurants. It was crowded but we walked up an down the street ducking into a few shops and looking a the bewildering array of totally unknown eatables. Some of the group said goodbye and left to catch trains to their departing cities. Most of us stopped for lunch at a fast food noodle shop.
Every city has its own manhole cover design, which I have resisted photographing. But, this one shows pilgrims which is appropriate recognition of our own "just finished" trek.
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