Matsubara-hachiman-jinja is the Shinto shrine in himeji, hyogo, Japan. Each year the ''Nado no Kenka Matsuri'' - 'Fighting festival is held here Oct, 14th & 15th.
There are approx 30,000 Hachiman Shrines in Japan. Photographed while visiting to see the Matsuri. - Photographed 10 14 2009 with Canon EOS 400D SLR Digital Camera.