VIDEO| Kabushima Shrine near Misawa reopens after reconstruction

A power spot shrine near Misawa, Japan, that was destroyed by a fire in 2015, is now reopen and welcoming both feathered and human visitors alike.

The feathered visitors to this Shinto shrine on a rocky hill overlooking the beautiful Hachinohe coast are the nearly 40,000 umineko black-tailed seagulls which visit every year between February and August.

Kabushima Jinja is about a 50-minute drive from Misawa Air Base. Like me, you may at first be confused by the umbrellas at the entrance. These are to protect you from the seagull splatters — so make sure you grab one!

Now that you know to shield yourself from the seagulls, know that as a power spot, this 700-year-old shrine is thought to bring good luck for business, arts and sea traffic.

In 2015, the main shrine was lost to fire and underwent years of reconstruction until its reopening last March.

The new building has a unique shape meant to represent a pair of seagulls flapping their wings towards the sky. The interior glows with natural light thanks to the many windows, which lend to the relaxing and quiet nature shrines tend to have.

Make plans to stop by to wish for a better 2021, but don’t forget to watch for the seagulls!

Kabushima Shrine

Location: 56-2 Same, Samemachi, Hachinohe City, Aomori Prefecture (a 50-minute drive from Misawa AB)
URL: http://kabushima.com/jinjya/
Tel: 0178-34-2730