Put the Udo in the Jingu (I need to be stopped)

Ok, so all the weather forecasters in the land, on the tell and on the interwebs agreed on rain today. Horrible, horrible rain. So responsible me goes around carrying a big umbrella all day, with not a single drop of rain in sight. The weather is a lie!

I get on the bus towards Udo Jingu first, and arrive with a horde of Chinese tourists. I don't mind tourists, really. I am one myself at the moment and all. However, there is something about bus loads of  Chinese tourists that sets me on edge. The people I have met today, walk into other pictures, don't even attempt to honor the shrine prayers, and also run through the entire complex without much of a look left or right. I am quite glad when they are on their way again. I see a couple taking wedding pictures, traditional white kimono included.

Shrines with "jingu" in the name usually mean there is an early history Tenno involved somewhere. This shrine is dedicated to the father of the first Tenno Jimmu. The shrine is famous with newly married couples, and a long time ago, even Tenno would wed here. The shrine has a breathtaking scenery, including high, rocky cliffs and a "turtle" stone. Which of course you are supposed to throw something at it for good luck. They also have a "mystic" cave with "breast shaped stones". I swear sometimes I don't even need to make up a funny story.

I try to find a hidden shrine in the mountains, but all the ways to it turn impassible at some point. On my way back, I speak with a nice grandmother. She talks to me about the Buddhist past next to the shinto Udo Jingu, which was abruptly ended in Meiji times. She also had a tame wild boar that came down from the mountains nightly, even with her babies in toe. She is really nice, and she gives me some oranges as well.

Next I get on a bus back to Aoshima. This is a tiny island connected to the coast via a short bridge. All around the island, rows of stones extend outwards. They are called the devil's waterboard. The shrine is pretty with tropical flowers. It also houses an exhibition, where the story of Jimmu Tenno and his father is told. The woman housing the exhibition is also very talkative, and we have a nice chat about the story as well as their style choices in the dolls, as they wear some distinctively Korean garments.

Pictures Udo Jingu/Aoishima