Topping a small hill overlooking Shiogama town in Miyagi Prefecture, this fairly large shrine complex has a history of over 1,000 years, surviving earthquakes, fires and tsunamis. It can be included as part of an itinerary containing the Shiogama and Matsushima towns and is well worth a long stroll around the picturesque buildings, pine forests and small garden. As Shiogama is not a major tourist destination, you won’t have to deal with crowds here and in some places, you might feel you are absolutely alone. The age of the shrine is most evident in the well worn stone statues of lion dog guardians captured in both fierce and humorous expressions.