14‏/10‏/2013

Utou-jinja Shrine, Aomori

A restful sanctuary in the heart of the city

By Peter Sidell

Community writer

Golden lotuses adorn the bridge

The main gate and approach

A hardy turtle supports a pillar in the parking lot by the entrance

The main hall comes into view as you walk towards the gate

Prayers and wishes

A small arched bridge spans the neck of the lotus pond

A lion stands sentinel by the shrine buildings

More distinctive white on the gate and lanterns

Purify yourself with water from this fierce-looking creature

On a clearer day the reflection would have been exquisite

Some buildings have striking dragons carved under the eaves

And some dragons are even wrapped around the columns

The buildings are a distinctive white, with a distinctive architectural style

It's easy to forget you're right in the center of a big city

There are smaller gates within the shrine grounds

The red of the bridge stands out among the greenery

Carp in the larger of the ponds

In the very heart of bustling Aomori city, just a short walk from the station, Utou-jinja is an appealing shrine that packs a diversity of features into a small space. Behind the main hall there's a tranquil garden with a fountain shaped like a dragon's head and a carp pond spanned by bright red bridges, while some of the other halls have lively detail carved under the eaves.

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Peter Sidell

By Peter Sidell

Community writer

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