MieLeisure

Karasu Shrine (香良洲神社)

Flow of the course

About 40 min here

About 20 min to the next stop

Next stop: Cool off with play at the indoor playground and planetarium

About this spot

This shrine has watched over the town of Karasu at the mouth of the Kumozu River, and is said to enshrine the younger sister deity of Amaterasu Omikami. Fitting for a seaside community, black pines that have weathered the sea breeze line both sides of the approach, keeping the shade cool even in the height of summer. The grounds are spacious and quiet, with only the crunch of gravel underfoot and the sound of cicadas, making it easy to stroll slowly even with children. Stopping here before the pool to press your palms together and pray for a day free of water accidents sets a mindful tone for the day.

Tips

The shrine grounds are quiet even during the day, and parking is easy to find. The gravel path of the approach can be hard to push a stroller over, so a baby carrier is reassuring for small children. Restrooms are also available at the park facilities, but it's smoother to use the restroom before setting out.