Although the cherry blossom season has long ended, I wanted to share a beautiful Shrine here in Yokohama that I could visit for the first time since I came to Japan nearly 6 years ago! The shrine that I would like to talk about today is a hidden gym right in the heart of the Minato Mirai neighborhood of Yokohama called Iseyama Kotai Jingu. Before I jump into it, I would like to give a little explanation of the difference between shrines and temples here in Japan because it could be confusing!
Shrine vs. Temple
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| Famous Ryoanji temple in Kyoto |
In Japan, shrines and temples are two distinct religious sites that many foreigners use interchangeably but do in fact unique characteristics and purposes. Shrines, known as "jinja" in Japanese, are primarily associated with Shintoism, a religion native to Japan.
Shrines serve as places of worship for kami, or spirits, and are often marked by the big iconic torii gates at their entrances. Shrines typically feature structures like honden (main hall) and haiden (hall of worship), where rituals and ceremonies are conducted to honor the kami. You can also obtain fortunes called omikuji!
On the other hand, temples, referred to as "tera" or "ji" in Japanese, are closely linked with Buddhism. They are centers of Buddhist teachings, meditation, and rituals, and house statues of Buddha and other revered figures. Temples often boast distinctive architectural features like pagodas, wooden structures, and beautifully landscaped gardens.
Iseyama Kotai Jingu | 伊勢山皇大神宮
Although I've always enjoyed exploring shrines and temples, my adventures often took me beyond Yokohama because Yokohama seemed a bit too local. However, upon a friend's recommendation, I decided to finally visit Iseyama Kotai Jingu as she promised that all my wishes would come true.
After some research, I discovered the shrine's reputation as a "power spot." Despite working just a short 15-minute walk away, it took me nearly two years to finally make the visit.
One lovely spring weekday afternoon, I embarked on the journey to Iseyama Kotai Jingu. Despite initially feeling distant on the map, the walk turned out to be quite manageable. Though there was a bit of a trek up the hill, the discreet entrance to the shrine grounds, tucked off to the left, seemed to beckon me.
Ascending the steps, I encountered a cleansing area and a tranquil pond, with few visitors around due to the weekday. After purifying my hands and mouth, I climbed further to the main grounds, greeted by an open area and a stunning view of Minato Mirai.
Discovering such a quiet sanctuary amidst the bustling Minato Mirai district was unexpected!
I headed to the goshuin reception area to obtain a temple stamp, which was swiftly completed in about five minutes.
After securing my stamp and fortune, I spent the rest of my time leisurely exploring the small grounds, surrounded by cherry blossoms in full bloom, swaying gently in the breeze.
I want to visit again during sunrise or sundown, as I believe the view would be even more beautiful. And of course, I prayed and made a wish before descending the cherry blossom-lined stairs back down to reality.
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