Religion is an integral part of any culture. All communities practice a certain belief and carry out different dutiful ceremonies. These devout groups have sacred structures where they visit frequently to profess their faith. Some popular examples are Catholic churches, Islamic mosques, and Buddhist temples. Most of the time, these are the things which tourists write on their list of places to stopover.
If you are planning to find out your next destination over the weekend, an interesting place would be Kami-shima Island in Japan. Kami-shima Island, also called as Kameshima or Kajima, is located in Mie Prefecture. More particularly, it is beside the Ise Bay within the vicinity of central Honshu of Japan. The area of the island extends up to 0.76 square kilometers. It has been said that as of the year 2000, the number of inhabitants is 534.
The translation of the island’s name is referred to “God Island” or “Island of the Gods” due to the presence of the Shinto Shrine. Made from natural components especially cypress wood, a Shinto shrine is believed to be the abode of a kami or a Shinto god. A lot of believers come to this spot to show their admiration to the Shinto gods. By doing this, they feel their spirituality rejuvenated and revitalized.
If you are entering the shrine as a tourist, it would be best to show respect to the sacred ground and who knows, if you wish upon the Shinto gods, they might just grant it! Other than expressing their honor to the Shinto gods, people also visit this place to ask for a favor. So if you have been longing to get a job, ace the board exam, or be cured from an illness, make an effort to pay a visit to the Shinto shrine of Kami-shima Island.
Image from oomoto.or.jp
