Kumano Jinja Shrine in Shobara city, Hiroshima Prefecture is a historic Shinto shrine. It is devoted to the goddess Izanami-no-mikoto that is prominently mentioned in the Kojiki, the oldest Japanese chronicle from the 8th century. What is special about the shrine are its ancient Japanese cedar trees, some of which are said to be more than 1000 years old. Legend has it that one of the cedars next to the entrance of the shrine was used by the goddess's messenger to rest. Right next to the shrine there is a hiking path that leads you deeper into the mountain. Note that there are many shrines in Japan that share the same name, Kumano Jinja, all with their own distinct features and histories.

Photograph provided by Hiroshima Prefecture and Shobara Tourism Navigation