The main shrine has a stone lantern lined approach that begins adjacent to some shops and restaurants (including Uno Cafe, see link below this post) located around the shrine’s parking lot. Katori Jingu’s oldest standing structures are its black painted main building and vermilion gate, which date from the year 1700.

Stone lantern-lined approach to Katori Jingū in Chiba Prefecture, Japan. © 2023 Norbert Woehnl Photography.
Inner precincts of Katori Jingū in Chiba Prefecture, Japan. © 2023 Norbert Woehnl Photography.
Vermilion Gate at Katori Jingū in Chiba Prefecture, Japan. © 2023 Norbert Woehnl Photography.
People waiting to pray at the Main Hall of Katori Jingū in Chiba Prefecture, Japan. © 2023 Norbert Woehnl Photography.

After the Main Shrine, we also visited the Deep Shrine (奥宮, Okunomiya), a smaller sanctuary built with ancient timber at a quiet spot in the forest. A peaceful place to pay respects and pray for good fortune in upcoming challenging endeavors.

Okunomiya (Inner Shrine) at Katori Jingu in Chiba Prefecture, Japan. © 2023 Norbert Woehnl Photography.
Okunomiya (Inner Shrine) at Katori Jingu in Chiba Prefecture, Japan. © 2023 Norbert Woehnl Photography.
Goshuin (seal stamp) of Okunomiya (Inner Shrine) at Katori Jingu in Chiba Prefecture, Japan. © 2023 Norbert Woehnl Photography.
Okunomiya (Inner Shrine) at Katori Jingu in Chiba Prefecture, Japan. © 2023 Norbert Woehnl Photography.

Unedited photos shot with iPhone 11 Pro.

写真の撮影場所：千葉県・香取市・香取神宮

Before our shrine visit, we went for lunch at Uno Cafe, which is adjacent to the premises:

Uno Cafe outside Katori Shrine, Chiba Prefecture, Japan

Before entering Katori Jingu Shrine in Chiba Prefecture today, we had lunch at the delightful Uno Cafe just outside the shrine’s premises.

Uno Cafe outside Katori Shrine, Chiba Prefecture, Japan
Norbert Woehnl 📷
October 28, 2023