Sacred Junipers
A majestic, centuries-old juniper tree with deeply gnarled bark and sprawling twisted limbs stands as a spiritual symbol in a tranquil Japanese forest. Surrounded by lush greenery and marked with a sacred rope (shimenawa), this revered tree embodies natural beauty, cultural heritage, and the serene mystique of rural Japan.
Ose Shrine
Intricate wood carvings of mythological creatures adorn the columns and beams of a Shinto shrine with a long bamboo pole and thick straw rope stretched between the two columns at the front of the shrine located in a remote Japanese fishing village.