Kayazu Jinja Shrine
Kayazu Jinja Shrine is an old shrine that is said to have been visited by Yamato Takeru no Mikoto during his expedition to the east, and the enshrined deity is Kayanohime, the god of agriculture.
It is the only place in Japan where the god of pickles is enshrined.
In the past, this area faced the coast, and people would pray for a rich harvest by offering vegetables and salted seaweed in front of the shrine.
Apparently, by combining the vegetables with salt, they were able to make the perfect salted vegetables.
This is the beginning of pickles in Japan, and the Pickles Festival is held on August 21st every year.
In addition, behind the shrine is the sacred tree Renri no Sakaki, which is said to provide blessings for matchmaking, and the Sakaki Festival is held every year on the second Sunday of April to pray for marriage and a good harvest.
