Peach shaped ema (Photo: Cathy Cawood)

Izanagi Jingu Shrine

The oldest shrine in Japan

Cathy Cawood   - 1 min read

Izanagi Jingu enshrines the god Izanami who is supposed to have created Japan, handed it over to the goddess Amaterasu, and retired to Awaji Island. I visited on a cold spring day, and found a picturesque pond, and an impressive 900 year old camphor tree (I like trees). Izanagi Jingu's ema boards are shaped like peaches because there is a story about the god Izanagi hurling a peach at a demon.

Cathy Cawood

Cathy Cawood @cathy.cawood

 I came to Japan in 2003 to teach English. I lived in Shiga prefecture for 1 year, and it still holds a special place in my heart. I lived in Kyoto for 9 years, then moved to Machida, Tokyo in 2014 after meeting my Japanese partner. I love to take photos, and my Japan in Pictures Facebook page ha...