After having lunch at Uno Cafe (see post linked below), we approached the shrine’s premises.
Katori Jingū is a popular Shinto shrine outside of Sawara, northeast of Narita. The approach to the main shrine is lined by trees and stone lanterns.
A beautiful environment that is kept up by dedicated gardening personnel.
Halfway along the route towards the main hall, a torii gate is a popular spot for souvenir photos.
Upon reaching the main hall, one of the shrine’s oldest buildings from the early 1700s, there is always a short line of visitors waiting to pray, but the line moves quickly and very quietly.
A short walk from the main shrine, we then reach the Deep Shrine (奥宮, Okunomiya), a smaller sanctuary built with ancient timber at a quiet spot in a beautiful forest.
This concludes our visit. It’s a bit of an effort to get to Katori Jingu by public transport, but the magnificent shrine and its calm natural setting (not to forget the delicious coffee at Uno Cafe) are very much worth it.
All photos shot with iPhone 15 Pro. Edited in Adobe Lightroom Classic.
写真の撮影場所：千葉県・香取市・香取神宮