- 14 Mar 2002
- 21,051
- 18,903
Talk about weird vending machines (no, no used undies): at Hirota Shrine (廣田神社) in Aomori City, tradition meets technology.
Located in Aomori's city centre, Hirota Shrine has long welcomed evening visitors, especially those stopping by after work, and has seen a steady increase in foot traffic, including from international tourists drawn by the appeal of traditional omamori. In recent years, the growing number of worshippers has caused occasional bottlenecks at the shrine's distribution counter. The shrine installed a vending machine that lets visitors receive omamori (お守り, charms) and goshuin (御朱印, shrine seals and proof of visit or prayer) anytime, day or night. Designed to match the shrine's atmosphere with vermilion colours and motifs of golden foxes and rice, the machine aims to ease crowding and accommodate night-time worshippers. It offers eight types of charms, including ones featuring Aomori apples. It supports multiple languages, making it popular with both locals and overseas visitors. All items are pre-blessed, similar to those handed out at the main counter.
Chief Priest Tagawa Ibuki (田川伊吹宮司)
With more people visiting the shrine, especially after hours or on staff rest days, Chief Priest Tagawa Ibuki says the machine has been a helpful solution. "It's doing what we hoped," he said, adding, "We want shrines to feel welcoming and relevant, even as times change."
Translated from here:
www.sankei.com
Located in Aomori's city centre, Hirota Shrine has long welcomed evening visitors, especially those stopping by after work, and has seen a steady increase in foot traffic, including from international tourists drawn by the appeal of traditional omamori. In recent years, the growing number of worshippers has caused occasional bottlenecks at the shrine's distribution counter. The shrine installed a vending machine that lets visitors receive omamori (お守り, charms) and goshuin (御朱印, shrine seals and proof of visit or prayer) anytime, day or night. Designed to match the shrine's atmosphere with vermilion colours and motifs of golden foxes and rice, the machine aims to ease crowding and accommodate night-time worshippers. It offers eight types of charms, including ones featuring Aomori apples. It supports multiple languages, making it popular with both locals and overseas visitors. All items are pre-blessed, similar to those handed out at the main counter.
Chief Priest Tagawa Ibuki (田川伊吹宮司)
With more people visiting the shrine, especially after hours or on staff rest days, Chief Priest Tagawa Ibuki says the machine has been a helpful solution. "It's doing what we hoped," he said, adding, "We want shrines to feel welcoming and relevant, even as times change."
Translated from here:
お守り、御朱印を自動頒布機で 青森の神社が設置 夜間参拝、混雑緩和に向け24時間対応
信仰の場にも時代の波－。青森市の廣田神社（田川伊吹宮司）は、24時間いつでもお守りや御朱印を受け取ることができる専用の自動頒布機を境内に設置した。授与所が閉ま…
