Discover Shintoism

Meet us at the Shrine reception of the Hotoku Ninomiya Shrine. It is located right next the Odawara Castle. After arriving at the Shrine Reception your private English or German speaking interpreter will lead you through the sacred place and will explain about history and life at the Shinto Shrine.

Enter the place from the main entrance and learn the rules of visiting a Shinto Shrine. Get to know the difference between Temples and Shrines in Japan and learn the importance of purification while cleaning hands and mouth with water. Enter the halls and meet a real Shinto priest. Listen to his stories and learn about way of believing and connection between Japans Religion and mother nature. Practice together with the Shinto priest how to use a sacred branch of tree and join an ancient Shinto ceremony.

After the ceremony you will proceed to another room, where you meet a Shrine maiden, who explains the history of votive Shrine tablets. Write your own personnel wish and your name in Japanese calligraphy. After you finished your writings you will walk back to the Shrine desk, where you receive a Shrine stamp.