Okuni Shrine in autumn
Last weekend, I decided to visit Okuni Shrine (小國神社 / Okuni jinja), one of the oldest and most famous shrines in Shizuoka Prefecture. I heard that the shrine is especially beautiful in autumn when the leaves turn red and yellow. I wanted to see the scenery for myself and learn more about the history and culture of the shrine. We drove from Hamamatsu to Mori, where the shrine is located, which took about an hour and a half. The road was smooth and scenic, and we enjoyed the view of the mountains and the lake. We listened to some music and chatted happily. When we arrived at the shrine, we parked our car in a nearby parking lot and walked to the entrance. We saw a large torii gate that marked the entrance. We walked through the gate and followed a stone path that led us to the main hall. Along the way, we saw many trees with colorful leaves that contrasted with the green moss and the gray roof tiles. The shrine was surrounded by nature and had a peaceful and sacred vibe. We ...