You have to dive underwater to worship here—swimming with whale sharks at an underwater shrine is super healing!

▲Japan's underwater Suzaki Shrine. (Photo / Screenshot fromHasama Underwater Park’s official Facebook page,same below)

Travel Center / Comprehensive Report

The "Suzaki Shrine" in Hasama Underwater Park, Chiba Prefecture, Japan, isa shrine built beneath the sea. To worship here, you need to dive deep into the ocean,and those without a diving license or skills are out of luck. In addition to the torii gate underwater where you can offer prayers, you'll also swim alongside massive whale sharks, tropical fish, and manta rays. When you're tired from diving, you can take a break in thesmall tent next to the shrine, catch your breath, and warm up with a cup of hot tea.。

This underwater shrine was established on July 20, 1996, as a branch of the "Suzaki Shrine" in Tateyama City, Chiba. That day also marked Japan's "Marine Day." The shrine is located about 18 meters deep underwater. Because the area is coastal and frequented by ships and divers, it was built to prevent maritime accidents and to pray for safety in Japan Bay.

Japan actually has more than one underwater shrine. Shizuoka’s Osezaki underwater area has a miniature shrine, and Wakayama has an underwater postbox and shrine, but these are all small and mostly symbolic. Suzaki Shrine, however, is a real place for worship. September is the season to see whale sharks—you can not only dive to worship at the shrine,but also swim with the whale sharks.On December 31st from 11:50 PM to January 1st at 1:15 AM, as per tradition,an underwater "Hatsumode" (first shrine visit of the year) is held to welcome the new year.

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