The Quest For The Fourth Gate

The idea of the four torii gates marking the hallowed boundary of Kashima has really intrigued me. Near the West gate there was some information about them, saying that the North gate was in Godo forest. The trouble is I can't find anything about Godo forest online. But no matter. I searched google maps of the area and found a likely looking forest north of the East and West gates. Google maps had the area simply titled "Kashima". Upon nearing the area I hit upon a surprise, the roads on google maps were actually old unpaved farm trails. Making my way through the trails, I arrive at the forest. The woods are dense and thick with spiders, but there is a path to follow.

Winding down the path I find a shrine. I learn it is Numao Shrine, where the deity Fuytsunushi no Ohkami is enshrined. Around the shrine fly massive dragonflies. To the north is Numao pond, which is said the roots of the lotus that grow there can quickly heal the sick. I make my way out of the forest and start moving around it towards the pond. While riding around the forest I pass motorcyclists, a friendly trucker washing his big rig, and a rock and roll roadster. When I make it there I discover directly next to the pond is a massive cemetery.

After seeing much, but not finding the torii gate I set out to find, I begin making my way home. But with a different route. On the way home I discover more interesting shrines and statues. Mizu Shrine holds the local deity Mizuhayame-no-mikoto, the god of water transport. As I move around, following a path parallel with the river, I hear faint music in the distance. I break from my course and start weaving through the streets, getting closer and closer to the source of the music. Eventually finding, out in a rice field musicians practicing for the upcoming festival fully dressed in their parade attire and sitting on the float. An old man was standing on the side of the road listening to them. I stand next to him as the musicians play for an audience of just two. We both share in the thrill of discovering their secret rehearsal place. After they finish the old man and I chat for a little bit, and then I continue on. So far unsuccessful in finding all four torii gates but finding treasures none the less.