The day I felt a 'high-quality breeze' at the shrine. Was that a sign of welcome? | Omiya Hikawa Shrine #50

Have you ever had an experience at a shrine that made you wonder, 'Am I being welcomed?'

Since I started visiting shrines, small coincidences have been happening more often.

However, at Omiya Hikawa Shrine that day, I had an experience a little different from the others.

The breeze I felt at the end was just so pleasant.

Today, I would like to record the four events that happened that day.

What happened on the day of the monthly visit

November 1, 2025.

I went to Omiya Hikawa Shrine with my daughter for our monthly visit.

When we arrived, the shrine grounds were full of visitors for Shichi-Go-San.

'I wonder if it will be difficult to visit slowly today.'

As I was walking while thinking that, they were offering samples of Yame tea.

We took a break while drinking warm tea in the shade of a tree.

At that time, I never imagined I would have an unforgettable experience after this.

🪽 Welcome Sign ① A white, thick feather

While I was drinking tea, a feather about the size of a glue stick fluttered down in front of me, swaying from side to side.

It was white and a bit thick, with a somewhat mysterious texture for a bird's feather.

I looked around, but there were no birds or people who could have dropped that feather...

It was as if it were saying, 'Look' and 'Notice me.'

🕊 Welcome Sign ② A pigeon feather that rolled to my feet

After that, a pigeon feather rode the wind and rolled right up to my feet.

Seeing a feather itself isn't that rare.

But it was the first time I had seen a feathercome toward me.

It might just be a coincidence, but

'I am here.'

I felt as if I had received such a gentle message.

🥁 Welcome Sign 3: The sound of the drum

The moment I stood in line at the worship hall and it was my turn.

Don, don, don.

The sound of a drum echoed.

I have experienced this many times before.

It might be a coincidence, but when the timing matches perfectly, it really makes me happy😊

I felt as if I had been welcomed with, 'Glad you came again today.'

✨ Welcome Sign 4: The 'high-quality breeze' I felt at Monkyakujin Shrine

And this was the moment that left the biggest impression on me!

While I was visiting the auxiliary shrine, 'Monkyakujin Shrine,' a breeze blew softly from the upper left.

The sensation of that breeze was different from any wind I had ever felt before.

It was very clear and cool—more transparent and gentler than the air from an air purifier.

'A high-quality breeze✨'

Those words popped into my mind instantly.

'I would pay to feel that again'

It was such a comfortable and sacred breeze that I felt that way.

The meaning I learned later

When I asked AI (ChatGPT) about it later,
this 'cool, clear breeze'

might be a state of experiencing a change in the 'energy of the sacred space,'

it said✨
Below is ChatGPT's explanation.

I remembered my mother

Come to think of it, I have been to this shrine with my mother before.

At that time, my mother seemed surprised by someone invisible and bowed her head deeply in prayer.

I had never seen my mother like that before; it left an impression as if she were prostrating herself in her heart.

I was watching from the side and thinking,

I don't feel anything...

I was thinking that.

But this time,

Maybe I've finally gotten a little closer to the scenery my mother was seeing.

I felt happy thinking that.💗

In conclusion

I don't mean to say that you should believe in 'signs of welcome'!

The feathers, the drums, and the wind might all have been coincidences.

But if those events lead to a deeper sense of gratitude, I think that's a wonderful moment to have.

For me, the greatest treasure of that day was

the high-quality breeze I felt at the shrine.

I am a little proud of myself for being able to feel that breeze.

For some reason, it gave me a strange sense of confidence.

It's okay if you don't feel anything

Just one last thing.

'I don't feel anything, so...'

Some of you might think that.

Actually, I didn't feel anything at first either.

'Visiting shrines on the 1st of the month is supposed to be good.'

I started with that lighthearted feeling, and just ended up visiting a shrine once a month.

As I continued, the shrine became not a place to make requests, but a place to settle my heart.

So, it's okay if you don't feel anything.

If there is a shrine you are curious about, please try visiting it at least once 😊

Rather than to have your wishes granted, think of it as a time to face your own heart instead.

Beyond that accumulation of moments, perhaps one day you too will have an experience that stays in your heart.

⛩I have compiled records of my visits to shrines I've encountered across the country.
I am adding new articles sequentially, so if you like visiting shrines, please be sure to subscribe to the magazine ✨

⛩ Click here for a list of shrine articles.

👇For those reading for the first time.
Start here.

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