Place of worship • イ８５６ Todachō, Masuda, Shimane 699-3763, Japan
Toda Kakimoto Shrine, located in Masuda City in the eastern part of Shimane Prefecture, is known as the birthplace of the Manyo poet Kakimoto no Hitomaro. This small shrine standing in a quiet rural landscape is full of the charm of harmony between history and nature.
As you step inside the grounds of Toda Kakimoto Shrine, you will feel the atmosphere of an ancient temple. The shrine building, though simple, is carefully constructed, conveying the preciousness of the place where Hitomaro was born. Nearby, there is also a mound for Hitomaro's hair, bearing witness to the reverence for this area as the birthplace of the sage.
The shrine is surrounded by lush green mountains and a peaceful rural landscape. As you walk along the approach, your heart seems to be cleansed by the scent of the trees. Standing in the shrine grounds, the pastoral view makes you feel as if your gaze is being drawn far into the distance without a sense of the passage of time. The tranquil space that makes you forget the hustle and bustle of the city extends before you.
When you visit Toda Kakimoto Shrine, you can receive a detailed explanation from the shrine priest. You can get a close look at items related to Hitomaro and immerse yourself in the world of the famous poems in the Manyoshu. Although it is usually a quiet place with few visitors, listening to the shrine priest's stories and experiencing the charm of this area might lead to new discoveries.
Toda Kakimoto Shrine, standing in the quiet village in the eastern part of Shimane Prefecture. Here, a landscape where the history and nature left by Hitomaro is harmonized. Why not take a moment to immerse yourself in the atmosphere of the ancient temple while thinking about the Manyo era?