Kusanagi shrine (草薙神社) in Kusanagi, Shimizu Ku, Shizuoka City, has been a major sanctuary in the city of Shizuoka, more precisely the former city of Shimizu before the two were merged at the end of the 20th Century.
It involves a good walk, so choose a shiny day, preferably in winter although you must not miss the rocket festival held in September.
Take either the normal train (Tokaido Line) or the local Shizutetsu Line and get down at Kuasanagi Stations.
Proceed straight to the main crossing and turn left.
You will find a big torii/sacred gate across the street.
Walk under and walk straight for about 20 minutes!
Ancient plaque somewhat difficult to read!
A new stone monument is there to ascertain this is the right shrine!
Signs will be found along the way to confirm your right path!
Getting very near!
The shrine across the road!
The torii of the main entrance!
The lantern with the shrine crest and an informative board!
It has been officially venerated since 1432 but records back to Year 927 mention it!
Pass under the torii and its rice straw garland!
Some stone stairs are in wit for you!
A warrior of yore!
Old history on stone!
A short but nice flight of stone stairs running through ancient trees!
No, the shrine is not on fire! Just burning dead trees away!
Incredibly old tree being venerated!
A 1,000 year old tree with a height of 15 meters and spread of 12 meters!
And it is venerated through its own little shrine!
The roofed stone hand washing basin!
Cute hand towels!
The gate to the main shrine!
A solemn guard!
And his companion!
Part of the September Fire Rocket Festival gear!
They even have a rocket on display at a side building!
The main shrine!
New Year prayer messages!
The “smiling” lion guard!
The “roaring” lion guard!
This is an important shrine since it has no less than three ropes for bells to be rung by worshipers!
Let’s have a peek inside!
Old paintings!
Festival drum!
Looking back at the entrance!
An older shrine beside the main one!
An old stone lantern!
It is carved out with a crescent moon!
A rare hollyhock carving proving that the shrine was venerated by Lord Tokugawa Ieyasu!
The older shrine in a long and low shape!
New Year rice paste offerings!
It has its own small altar!
Side view of the main shrine!
Side view of the inner shrine behind the main shrine. Inaccessible to the pubic!
Beautiful roofing!
Sponsors’ names!
Another older type but smaller shrine on the other side of the main shrine!
Left side view!
Time slip!
More sponsors’ names!
Board explaining that the 25-kg rocket can reach an altitude of 300 meters!
Looking forward to next September!
A side entrance torii gate!
The small rocket museum!
Detailed sight of the inside fireworks mechanism!
The rocket launching ramp!
Dragon!
They also house a kyudo/archery club!
The archery range!
See you there again next September!
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