Tuesday, April 28, 2020

Floating Torii Gates of Oouo Shrine, Saga Prefecture: Kyushu

There is this attraction in the middle of Saga Prefecture, away from any major highway and city center that is gathering a rather lot of attention these days.  It is called Oouo Shrine and a site that I have visited many times because of its uniqueness and incredible scenery it possesses.

The Shrine has 3 Torii gates that are strategically placed from the shoreline out into the picturesque and highly productive seaweed producing Ariake Sea.  At high tide all 3 gates are covered with water at various depths, whilst at low tide one can wander around and fully inspect each Torii Gate and get a feel of what a 6 meter tidal range really means from an environmental and nature point of view.

Although I have been here 3 or 4 times previously for some reason it is always at low tide.  Not that I am complaining because low tide obviously allows for more exploring and a chance to stretch ones legs after a drive of some sorts from the previous attraction.  However for comparison sake, I would love to have some high tide photos and videos because in reality one doesn`t know what kind of tide that they will get on the day so we just have to take the results in our stride.

Just in case you were wondering, even though this location is getting more and more popular, don`t worry, you will never feel crowded or unable to find a car park.  As a result of its very rural location hardly more than a trickle of sightseers and or cameramen are here at any onetime.

Please look here to see the Oouo Shrine on a map:

 



Please click on the photos below to enlarge:

Plenty of shells to observe.


Offerings a plenty


A truly scenic spot



An instagrammers paradise



Wide open coastline



Impressive!


The 3 red gates.



At low tide!





Please click on the videos below to see more about this incredible attraction.





By the way, this is what Oouo Shrine looks like on a high tide visit.  It is basically the luck of timing whether you get to walk out and explore the Torii Gates or whether you have to be satisfied with taking photos at the watewrs edge.  All I can say, is that, no matter what tide you get this place is extremely special especially on a perfect weather day.

Please click the photos below to enlarge:

The gates in all their glory

Water is coming in fast!




Special pose?

Beautiful pose



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