Blue Forest Chronicles: Takayama Inari Shrine / 高山稲荷神社

A couple of weeks ago, my wife and I went on our first drive with our new car. We went to see Japan's largest gingko tree in Fukaura. I was hoping to see it in all its golden glory but we were still too early in the season. My wife noticed my disappointment and suggested going to Takayama Inari Shrine. We had been there before but it was a fairly nice day and we wanted to get an amulet for safe driving from the shrine, so that is where we headed after we had lunch.

２週間ほど前、新車で初ドライブに出かけた。目指したのは深浦町にある日本一のイチョウ。秋になると全て黄色になって綺麗と思って楽しみしてたんですが、目的地に着いたら木のほんの一部しか黄色くなってなかった。落ち込んで見えたそうの俺に、妻が高山稲荷神社でも行こうと提案した。交通安全のお守りを買いに行こうという話になった。

Here we are at the Takayama Inari Shrine. This building is the Sanshu-dono or Gathering Hall.

高山稲荷神社に到着。この建物は参集殿。

Now there is a gingko tree in all its golden glory.

ここのイチョウが全て黄色くなってます。

Yes, we walked up these steps. You have to go up these stairs to get to the main shrine.

はい、この階段を上りました。じゃなけらば、神社の本殿には行けない。

A small shrine dedicated to those who want to be blessed with children.

子宝祈願。

You can see the ocean in the distance.

ここから海が見える。

This is the haiden or the Hall of Worship.

高山稲荷神社の拝殿。

We are near the Ryu Jingu or Dragon Shrine.

龍神宮の近くにいます。

The main thing to see at this shrine is the senbon torii or A Thousand Gates which is why it is also called the Fushimi Shrine of Tohoku. The gates are currently being replaced and you can be the owner of one for the the some of 150,000 yen (about $1500).

高山稲荷神社の一番の見所はなにを言っても千本鳥居ですね。これがあるから東北の伏見神社とも言われてる。現在は￥１５０，０００で自分の名前が１本の鳥居に名前が書いてもらうことを行ったる。