Dec 25, 2014 - 1 min read

Fukui's Ajimano Shrine in Echizen

Enshrining Emperor Keitai, the 26th Emperor of Japan

By Takako Sakamoto

Community writer

Prayer hall surrounded by colorful trees

Peeping at Ajimano Shrine through tall trees

Stone lantern standing in the middle of tall cedar trees

Giant orange maple tree towering over the stone torii gate of Ajimano Shrine

What's this tree?

Red maple leaves in the shrine grounds

Stone marker says this place was once a palace of Emperor Keitai when he was still a prince living in this area

Stone-paved pathway leading to the prayer hall

Water purification font doesn't have water in its basin

View of the prayer hall, which was under repair when I visited

Stone marker and a face of an Oni (ogre) to indicate that there once was a house of a local ruling family, The Kuratani's, here. This place is designated as an Echizen City historical site as well as a cultural property.

Tall, colorful trees surrounding the shrine

White guardian dog with tall cedar trees in the background

Shrine ground looks like a small cedar forest

Tall, yellow maple tree in the shrine premises

Just beside Ajimano-en Park, there is a shrine called 'Ajimano Shrine' in Echizen City of Fukui. The exact date of its foundation is unknown, but it is said that the Emperor Keitai (450? to 531?), the 26th Emperor of Japan, once lived here when he was a prince. Later in the Muromachi Period (1336–1573), Kuratani Family who ruled this area lived here as well. For its historical importance, Echizen City designated this place as its historical site as well as a cultural property. Enshrining the Emperor Keitai, the whole place is surrounded by beautiful tall cedar trees and colorful leaves.

Echizen Ajimano-en Park Series 1. Echizen Ajimano-en Park in Autumn 2. Fukui's Ajimano Shrine in Echizen

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Takako Sakamoto

By Takako Sakamoto

Community writer

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