Asia • Japan • Hakone | Torii of peace
彼女は1人で歩く 静かな森の中 軽やかな足り 滑るように進む 迷ったと思うけど彼女こそ光 の儀式 冷えゆくように 人溢り返える その視線を貫き けれど決して ない彼女の喧か
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On the shore of Lake Ashi lies a sacred place – the Hakone Shinto shrine, hidden beneath ancient green giants. The path climbs from the lake to the shrine and is lined with Torii gates (鳥居). The red wooden lacquered gates ⛩️ are typical for 🇯🇵. In translation, Torii means “bird perch,” and it is said that they originally served as a resting place for birds – messengers of the gods. Nowadays, however, passing through a Torii gate is a ritual act meant to purify the mind and body before entering the sacred area where Shinto gods dwell. In the shrine, you can ritually cleanse yourself by washing in water from a sacred spring, offer a prayer ending with a clap, and purchase a fortune slip… or leave a message on a wooden tablet. The iconic spot – the main Torii of Peace standing in the lake – is an Instagram photo point crowded with tourists, and therefore it does not appear in the clip… Instead, we explore the quieter paths around the shrine, where the forest whispers with wind and the smell of cedar. Small lanterns light the way, and moss-covered stones add to the mystical mood. Locals come here not only to pray but also to find peace and balance in everyday life. The Torii of Peace may be the star for tourists, but the true magic of Hakone Shrine is found in silence, between the trees and the sound of water dripping from the sacred spring.
AloJapan.com