Nagata Shrine in Kobe

Casks of Sake

A Very, Very Old Tree

Tori Gate = Entrance to Shrine

Nagata Shrine in Kobe, Japan 

 Bundles of 1,000 Origami Cranes.

Stone Lanterns are Common Decor.

After stuffing ourselves with over 30 plates of $1 sushi at a revolving sushi bar, we decided to take a stroll through Nagata Shrine in Kobe.  The pictures you see above are pretty typical of Japanese Shinto Shrines.  All Shrines have a Tori at their entrance, usually made of wood or stone in their natural colors, or painted a bright red, like this one.  It is also common to see stone lanterns, flags on bamboo poles, and casks of sake on the grounds of a shrine.  Bundles of 1,000 origami cranes are folded and offered to the gods by people who are serious about trying to make their wishes come true.  Finally, it is also not uncommon to see exceptionally old trees within a shrine's perimeter--quite often the trees themselves are worshiped as the manifestation of honored spirits. Notice the tremendous girth of this particular tree as it overshadows my two kids, standing in front of it.