Kumano Shrine (Yamagata)
Kumano Shrine (熊野大社 Kumano-taisha?) is a historic shinto shrine in Miyauchi in the city of Nan'yō, Yamagata, Japan.
It dates from the 9th century, and is one of only three large Kumano shrines in Japan. The shrine is located on a small mountain in the district of Miyauchi in Nanyo. Two main features of the shrine are a giant tree which locals believe to be several hundred years old, and a traditional tsurigane (釣り鐘?) bell. The bell is unique because during World War II, most large iron bells in Japan were melted down for their material. The bell at the shrine was saved by order of the Emperor, and is thus one of the few original preserved bells in Japan.
The Kumano-Taisha festival is held at the shrine each year on July 25.
Coordinates: 38°04′41″N 140°08′13″E / 38.07806°N 140.13694°E
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