Kyoto

Kyoto's Gosho Hachimangu Shrine

Small shrine in the heart of the city

Larry Knipfing Jul 12, 2014 - 1 min read

<p>Dipping cup at the purification font</p>

<p>Doves - A symbol of love and peace</p>

<p>More doves - Write a prayer on the back of the board and leave it here for God to answer</p>

<p>Tucked into a corner of the shrine</p>

<p>Sign at the top of the torii gate</p>

<p>Looking out from the shrine to the road</p>

Not all temples and shrines in Kyoto are big and beautiful. Some are small and poor but still loved by the locals. Gosho Hachimangu Shrine is like that. I would never have visited except for the fact that it is right next door to the hotel I was staying at, the Hotel Gimmond. Even then, I walked right past it a few times before even noticing it. Then I did, went in and looked around, and found that even small, poor shrines have flashes of beauty in them. People come here to pray for the health of their children and for smooth deliveries.

Larry Knipfing @larry.knipfing

Born on Long Island, New York in 1958, I have spent the last 30 years of my life living in Japan, and enjoying every minute of it! I especially love photography, and Japan is definitely one of the most beautiful places in the world to photograph! My other love is fiction writing and I have pub...