遠州大念仏 (Enshu Buddhist Chanting Ritual)

The Enshu Dainenbutsu in Hamamatsu, Shizuoka happens around every July 14. In this local traditional performance, a procession of chanters and people with flutes, drums, cymbals and lanterns visit the homes of families who have lost a loved one in the last year.

憑坐 (Possessed Person)

A Yorimashi is a person that serves the same purpose as a yorishiro, in which a kami uses the person’s body as a physical object for religious ceremonies and worship.

依り代 (Yorishiro)

A Yorishiro is a Shinto term for an object capable of attracting kami, giving them a physical space to occupy during religious ceremonies for worship. The most common ones include swords, mirrors, ritual staffs, magatama, and trees.

大鳥造 (Otori-zukuri)

Otori-zukuri is a type of Shinto architectural style named after the Otori Taisha in Osaka. Its floor is elevated and 2x2 ken in size, without a veranda or railings. The roof is covered with layers of cypress bark shingles and has a high ridge with an ornamental rather than functional role. It does not curve upwards at the eaves and the bargeboards are simple and straight.

見世棚造 (Showcase Style)

Misedana-zukuri is a type of Shinto architecture that owes its name to the fact that it doesn’t feature a stairway at the entrance (unlike other styles) and that it has a flat veranda. It is normally used in sessha and massha.

山住神社 (Yamazumi Shrine)

The Yamazumi Jinja in Hamamatsu, Shizuoka is a mountain shrine built in 1709 and is well-known for its cult of wolf-worship. The grounds also have two ancient cedars that are both over 1200 years old.

摩訶耶寺 (Makaya-ji)

The Makaya-ji in Hamamatsu, Shizuoka is a temple where one can find the oldest garden in the prefecture, reminiscent of Kyoto’s Koke-dera. It was built in 726 and contains some important cultural artifacts. Especially impressive is the wooden statue of Senju-Kannon with one thousand arms.

尾張造 (Owari-zukuri)

Owari-zukuri is a type of Shinto architectural style known as a complex style found in large shrines in what used to be called as the Owari Province near Nagoya. It features many structures within the same compound, among them a honden, a haiden, a tsuriwata-ro, a yotsuashimon, and other buildings. 

両流造 (Double Flow Style)

The Ryonagare-zukuri is a type of Shinto architecture that is believed to be an evolution of the Nagare-zukuri in which the roof flows down to form a portico on both non-gabled sides.

龍潭寺 (Ryotan-ji Temple)

The Ryotan-ji in Hamamatsu, Shizuoka is particularly famous for its flooring known as the “nightingale flooring”. When walked on, the flooring makes subtle bird sounds to warn of intruders. The garden here is a nationally designated scenic beauty. On the south side of the temple is a well which belonged to the founder of the Ii clan in the early 11th century.

方広寺 (Okuyama Hoku-ji)

The Okuyama Hoku-ji in Hamamatsu, Shizuoka is a zen temple established in 1377 and is the home of the Rinsai Sect, housing three much-revered Buddha statues. With over sixty halls, it is one of the biggest temples in the Tokai area. The small Shichison Bosatsudo is the oldest wooden building in the prefecture and a fine example of 14th century Japanese architecture.

鴨江観音 (Kamoe Kannon)

The Kamoe Kannon in Hamamatsu, Shizuoka is famous for having the oldest garden in the prefecture, reminiscent of Kyoto’s Koke-dera. The temple was built in 726 and contains some important cultural artifacts. Especially impressive is the wooden statue of Senju-Kannon with one thousand arms.

寶林寺 (Horin-ji Temple)

The Horin-ji in Hamamatsu, Shizuoka was established by an invited Chinese Zen master in 1667. It is a fine example of late Ming Dynasty Chinese architecture. The Buddha hall and the priest’s residence are both designated National Important Cultural Properties. 

諏訪神社 (Suwa Shrine)

The Suwa Jinja in Hamamatsu, Shizuoka is a shrine that stands side-by-side with the Gosha Shrine. It was originally built in 1556 and was reconstructed in the 1940s and serve downtown locals. Especially interesting at the shrine festival on May 4 or at Shichigosan on November 15 is when local families wrap their small children in kimonos and come here to pray.

五社神社 (Gosha Shrine)

The Gosha Jinja in Hamamatsu, Shizuoka is a shrine that stands side-by-side with the Suwa Shrine. It was originally built in 1580 and was reconstructed in the 1940s and serve downtown locals. Especially interesting at the shrine festival on May 4 or at Shichigosan on November 15 is when local families wrap their small children in kimonos and come here to pray.