Fukui's Ajimano Shrine in Echizen

Enshrining Emperor Keitai, the 26th Emperor of Japan

Takako Sakamoto Dec 25, 2014 - 1 min read

<p>Prayer hall surrounded by colorful trees</p>

<p>Peeping at Ajimano Shrine through tall trees</p>

<p>Stone lantern standing in the middle of tall cedar trees</p>

<p>Giant orange maple tree towering over the stone torii gate of Ajimano Shrine</p>

<p>Red maple leaves in the shrine grounds</p>

<p>Stone marker says this place was once a palace of Emperor Keitai when he was still a prince living in this area</p>

<p>Stone-paved pathway leading to the prayer hall</p>

<p>Water purification font doesn't have water in its basin</p>

<p>View of the prayer hall, which was under repair when I visited</p>

<p>Stone marker and a face of an Oni (ogre) to indicate that there once was a house of a local ruling family, The Kuratani's, here. This place is designated as an Echizen City historical site as well as a cultural property.</p>

<p>Tall, colorful trees surrounding the shrine</p>

<p>White guardian dog with tall cedar trees in the background</p>

<p>Shrine ground looks like a small cedar forest</p>

<p>Tall, yellow maple tree in the shrine premises</p>

Just beside Ajimano-en Park, there is a shrine called 'Ajimano Shrine' in Echizen City of Fukui. The exact date of its foundation is unknown, but it is said that the Emperor Keitai (450? to 531?), the 26th Emperor of Japan, once lived here when he was a prince. Later in the Muromachi Period (1336–1573), Kuratani Family who ruled this area lived here as well. For its historical importance, Echizen City designated this place as its historical site as well as a cultural property. Enshrining the Emperor Keitai, the whole place is surrounded by beautiful tall cedar trees and colorful leaves.

Echizen Ajimano-en Park Series 1. Echizen Ajimano-en Park in Autumn 2. Fukui's Ajimano Shrine in Echizen

Takako Sakamoto @takako.sakamoto

I was born in and grew up in Tokushima prefecture, and have lived in many places since then: Nishinomiya, Kyoto, Nara, Mie, Tokyo, Kanagawa, Saitama, Chiba, Fukuoka and Fukui. I am currently living in Yokohama City. All the places I lived, all the places I visited, I have loved dearly. The histor...