Awashima Shrine

Awashima Shrine (淡嶋神社, Awashima Jinja), located near Kada Port in Wakayama, is a unique and historically significant shrine known for its strong connection to women’s health, fertility, and the Dolls Festival. Every year on March 3, the shrine hosts the “Hina Nagashi” ritual, a deeply symbolic ceremony where dolls representing the Imperial Family are sent out to sea on tiny wooden boats, carrying messages of gratitude and prayers for good health. This tradition, part of the annual Dolls Festival, sees thousands of dolls sent from across Japan, filling the shrine grounds in a vibrant and colorful display that captures the attention of visitors and offers an unforgettable cultural experience.

This centuries-old shrine holds special importance as the head of over 1,000 Awashima shrines across Japan. The striking vermilion main hall and the nearby Treasure Hall house an impressive collection of ancient dolls, including some dating back to the Tokugawa era. Some of these dolls are believed to possess mystical powers, such as the ability to grow hair or offer healing. Visitors can enjoy the peaceful surroundings and explore nearby local seafood restaurants, and they may even pass through a sacred pillar said to bring good health. The shrine’s proximity to the ocean offers picturesque views, especially at sunset, which are often described as poetic and serene, adding to the spiritual atmosphere of the site.