NiigataLeisure

Gosen Hachimangu Shrine (五泉八幡宮)

Flow of the course

About 50 min here

About 20 min to the next stop

Next stop: Preparing for the afternoon with wildlife guidebooks in a cool library

About this spot

This shrine stands in the centre of Gosen City and has long been cherished by local people. The trees along the approach soften the sunlight, which makes it comfortable to walk even on a midsummer morning. Starting the day by joining your hands before the main hall and praying for a safe day brings the whole family into step. Seasonal flowers and trees grow in the precincts, and simply strolling while listening to the cicadas makes the summer air feel richer. It is not a lively place, but that very quiet makes the contrast with the afternoon water play stand out.

Tips

This is a good chance to teach children shrine etiquette. Show them step by step, starting with how to use the purification basin. Much of the precinct is gravel path, so visit in shoes that are easy to walk in. Parking spaces are limited, so use a nearby car park during busy periods.