It is customary to ring a bell in front of a Shinto shrine. This announces your presence to the kami.

Here, in the midst of the sacred forest Chinju no Mori, the trees embody the kami. The sacred presence of the kami is all around you.

On this especially sacred arbutus tree, we have hung a shrine bell. You are invited to shake the rope, ringing the bell, and then to offer your prayers to the kami.