Gokoku Shrine (護国神社) in yunoki, Aoi Ku, Shizuoka City, for all its darker aspects since it is there to mainly look after the souls of soldiers killed in recent wars, is still a place worth a long visit as it also includes a forested park monthly used for flea markets.
The main entrance torii/gate.
There are many entrances but none of their gates bear a plaque with the name of the shrine.
Take a look at the stone map of the whole precinct at the entrance!
Past the main entrance you will walk through a small forest with a big pond on your left inhabited by birds, fish and turtles!
Even in winter it is a nice place to stroll through.
Now is the season for the last leaves fall!
A small bridge will lead you to the main shrine and its park.
Large modern stone lantern!
Approaching the main shrine!
Spare a look at the small edifice on your left!
Stone washing basin!
The main torii gate!
An old torii gate with its “mon”/crest!
An imposing “smiling” lion guard!
Its “roaring” companion!
A traditional lantern!
The “mon”/crest on the torii gate!
Past the torii gate!
It is a major shrine in Shizuoka Prefecture and has its own office and even its museum!
The main shrine!
The left roofed aisle!
The right roofed aisle!
The stone fence bears many names commemorating past Japanese Army Corps!
Approaching the main shrine from the right!
Details of the right aisle roofing!
Old but in great repair!
A small money offerings wooden box!
The main access to the shrine!
Votive offerings!
An imposing facade with its rice straw garland and money offerings box!
The curtains denote the importance of the shrine!
The Imperial sixteen-petal chrysanthemum crest!
The shrine also prays for peace and end of wars in the World!
The traditional plaque with the name of the shrine!
A peek in the interior past the cherry blossom bearing curtains!
An enormous Japanese drum for Festivals!
Off-limits interior!
Back through the park!
View of the main entrance on the way back!
Big traditional stone lanterns at the entrance to the shrine office!
The clouds and the deer!
The mountain!
There is a small but interesting war museum on the second floor.
Next report!
Dragon picture!
Stone lantern in the back garden!
there is a sole kyudo/Japanese archery range open to all at the back of the office!
Grand old archer!
Actually there is also a kyudo club inside the premises!
Going out through one of the side entrances!
Many small stone lanterns along the walkways!
The side entrance/exit!
Good-bye, Gokoku shrine!
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