In the very heart of bustling Aomori city, just a short walk from the station, Utou-jinja is an appealing shrine that packs a diversity of features into a small space. Behind the main hall there's a tranquil garden with a fountain shaped like a dragon's head and a carp pond spanned by bright red bridges, while some of the other halls have lively detail carved under the eaves.
- 1 min read
Utou-jinja Shrine, Aomori
A restful sanctuary in the heart of the city
![Peter Sidell Peter Sidell](https://a0.cdn.japantravel.com/photo/u/151/240x240!/565e87d367ba810c868b6847.jpg)
By Peter Sidell
Community writer
![Golden lotuses adorn the bridge](https://a3.cdn.japantravel.com/photo/6958-49566/1000/aomori-utou-jinja-49566.jpg)
Golden lotuses adorn the bridge
![The main gate and approach](https://a3.cdn.japantravel.com/photo/6958-49575/1000/aomori-utou-jinja-49575.jpg)
The main gate and approach
![A hardy turtle supports a pillar in the parking lot by the entrance](https://a2.cdn.japantravel.com/photo/6958-49574/1000/aomori-utou-jinja-49574.jpg)
A hardy turtle supports a pillar in the parking lot by the entrance
![The main hall comes into view as you walk towards the gate](https://a1.cdn.japantravel.com/photo/6958-49573/1000/aomori-utou-jinja-49573.jpg)
The main hall comes into view as you walk towards the gate
![The main hall](https://a0.cdn.japantravel.com/photo/6958-49558/1000/aomori-utou-jinja-49558.jpg)
The main hall
![Prayers and wishes](https://a2.cdn.japantravel.com/photo/6958-49561/1000/aomori-utou-jinja-49561.jpg)
Prayers and wishes
![A small arched bridge spans the neck of the lotus pond](https://a1.cdn.japantravel.com/photo/6958-49568/1000/aomori-utou-jinja-49568.jpg)
A small arched bridge spans the neck of the lotus pond
![A lion stands sentinel by the shrine buildings](https://a3.cdn.japantravel.com/photo/6958-49562/1000/aomori-utou-jinja-49562.jpg)
A lion stands sentinel by the shrine buildings
![More distinctive white on the gate and lanterns](https://a0.cdn.japantravel.com/photo/6958-49563/1000/aomori-utou-jinja-49563.jpg)
More distinctive white on the gate and lanterns
![Purify yourself with water from this fierce-looking creature](https://a1.cdn.japantravel.com/photo/6958-49564/1000/aomori-utou-jinja-49564.jpg)
Purify yourself with water from this fierce-looking creature
![On a clearer day the reflection would have been exquisite](https://a2.cdn.japantravel.com/photo/6958-49565/1000/aomori-utou-jinja-49565.jpg)
On a clearer day the reflection would have been exquisite
![Some buildings have striking dragons carved under the eaves](https://a1.cdn.japantravel.com/photo/6958-49560/1000/aomori-utou-jinja-49560.jpg)
Some buildings have striking dragons carved under the eaves
![And some dragons are even wrapped around the columns](https://a1.cdn.japantravel.com/photo/6958-49559/1000/aomori-utou-jinja-49559.jpg)
And some dragons are even wrapped around the columns
![The buildings are a distinctive white, with a distinctive architectural style](https://a0.cdn.japantravel.com/photo/6958-49567/1000/aomori-utou-jinja-49567.jpg)
The buildings are a distinctive white, with a distinctive architectural style
![It's easy to forget you're right in the center of a big city](https://a2.cdn.japantravel.com/photo/6958-49569/1000/aomori-utou-jinja-49569.jpg)
It's easy to forget you're right in the center of a big city
![There are smaller gates within the shrine grounds](https://a2.cdn.japantravel.com/photo/6958-49570/1000/aomori-utou-jinja-49570.jpg)
There are smaller gates within the shrine grounds
![The red of the bridge stands out among the greenery](https://a3.cdn.japantravel.com/photo/6958-49571/1000/aomori-utou-jinja-49571.jpg)
The red of the bridge stands out among the greenery
![Carp in the larger of the ponds](https://a0.cdn.japantravel.com/photo/6958-49572/1000/aomori-utou-jinja-49572.jpg)
Carp in the larger of the ponds
Join the discussion
Elena Lisina
5 years ago
Unusual bridge!
Shaymaa Barakat
9 years ago
This looks very beautiful and peaceful, I could simply spend hours in such a place, Thank you for sharing.
2 comments in total
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