Meditate.
Pray.
Study.
Oshōgatsu (New Years): January 1 & 2
We will be welcoming visitors on January 1st and 2nd for visits to the shrine and for participation in O Harahi ceremonies. Please RSVP on the CALENDAR to reserve a spot on the water taxi.
Returning Omamori and Ofuda for Fire Purification:
We accept all returns of used shrine items for Otakiage (ritual purification). Otakiage ceremony will be conducted mid-January. INSTRUCTION PDF
What’s new?
- The shrine will be open for New Year’s ceremonies on January 1st and 2nd.To reserve transportation, click HERE
- 奉 Friends of Matsuri. Become a Friend to support the Centre and the Forest for all visitors. More info HERE
- There is water taxi service for scheduled events. To arrange visits on other days, please contact us to arrange transportation. For more details, click HERE
- Sign up for weekly inspirational email HERE
- The Centre is open to the Public. Come for prayer and spiritual renewal.
- Visit the Calendar page for more information.
Brightness of spirit
We invite you to experience the renewing qualities of Shinto in the midst of Great Nature.
Shinto teaches us that humans are innately bright and pure; we are descendants of the kami—the spiritual beings of the universe. Through our life actions and experiences, this lustre can be lessened. Through Shinto practice and rituals, we purify ourselves and our environment to restore our original quality of brightness.
Buddhist teachings, over the past two millennia, have helped people lead happier, more peaceful lives. Times change, but these teachings remain a proven and profound guide. This path makes the Buddha’s teachings relevant and approachable for the modern mind. Through study, meditation, and mindful activity we begin to see clearly, open our hearts, and foster a truly meaningful life.
Join us. We offer online and in-person teaching and meditation sessions and rituals at Shin Mei Centre. For schedules and more information, visit the Calendar page.
Shin Mei Spiritual Centre is the North American branch shrine of Tsubaki Grand Shrine near Suzuka, Japan.
Tsubaki Grand Shrine, located in Mie Prefecture is one of the oldest Shinto shrines in the country, with a history that stretches back over 2,000 years. Tsubaki Grand Shrine was founded in the year 3 BCE and is regarded is “ichinomiya” (first shrine) of Mie Prefecture.
It was the vision of Sendai Guji Yukitaka Yamamoto to make Shinto accessible to people of the western world so that they, too, could experience the renewal and brightness of this ancient spiritual practice.
Guji Yukiyasu Yamamoto, the current High Priest, is the 97th generation to lead this prestigous shrine. Guji Yamamoto continues the tradition of Tsubaki Grand Shrine introducing Shinto to the international community.