Kifune Shrine - Okumiya (Rear Shrine), Kyoto 🇯🇵

#newyearnewtrip Kifune Shrine, located in the scenic mountains of Kyoto, Japan, is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the deity of water, Kifune no Kami. The shrine itself is famous for its beautiful setting along the banks of the Kifune River and is a popular site for visitors seeking blessings for good fortune and protection. The Okumiya (Rear Shrine) is a significant part of Kifune Shrine, located a bit farther up the mountain. While the main shrine, or Honden, is where most visitors go, the Okumiya is considered a more sacred, quieter area, offering a deeper spiritual connection. To get there, visitors usually follow a series of steps leading up the mountainside, surrounded by lush greenery. The journey to the Okumiya is meant to be a meditative experience, allowing visitors to reflect and engage with the spiritual atmosphere. The Okumiya is closely associated with the deity Kifune no Kami’s role as the protector of water sources, and it holds a special significance in the religious and cultural practices related to water in Japan. Many people visit the Okumiya to pray for safe travels, good harvests, and protection from natural disasters like floods. #kyoto #japan