Ohi Shrine

About

Boasting a rich historical legacy, Ohi Shrine holds the distinction of being both the oldest and the largest shrine in Funabashi. The name "Ohi" suggests that the shrine was originally dedicated to a local sun deity. However, as the site garnered the respect and reverence of successive shoguns, it evolved into a subsidiary of the renowned Ise Shrine, earning the grandiose title of "Daijingu" or Grand Shrine. Within the serene precincts of Ohi Shrine, visitors can encounter several distinctive structures, each carrying its own significance. Funatama Shrine, positioned in the northwest corner, features a remarkable boat-shaped façade, symbolically safeguarding the sailors and fishermen of Funabashi. Nearby, Toyokuhime Shrine pays homage to the goddess of Ise's Outer Shrine, constructed using timbers from the dismantled Ise Shrine in 2013. While today the shrine finds itself encircled by bustling residential and commercial districts, during the Meiji Period, this lighthouse watched over rice paddies and the tranquil shoreline. Photos by Taisuke.Kasuya, CC BY-SA 4.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0>, via Wikimedia Commons