That small shrine is called HOKORA.
Hokora are smaller than regular Shinto shrines.
Large Jingu/Jinjya/Yashiro > Hokora > Smallest shrine Kamidana in each house
Some ancient Hokora shrines are older than any other shrines.
I think there are similar things in local worship of south east countries.
photo by photolibrary
Local people often visit Hokora and "take care of it".
Cleaning,changing water and dedicating thankful heart to nature fairy gods in there.
In Japan,there are so many places to worship nature gods.
People are protected by nature worship includes ancestor worship.
(Nature worship and ancestor worship are one because human is part of nature)
Top of shrine is the Grand shrine of ISE.(Mie prefecture)
It protects whole Japan and the Earth.
There are two main worship places in the Grand shrine of ISE.
One place for the Sun,the other place for the Polaris.
The Polaris means fatherhood,the center of the Universe and star of David.
(Strict gods world)
The Sun means motherhood,the center of solar system and Goddess of the Sun.
(Mercy gods world)
Opposite powers creates something new.
Man + Woman = New Baby
Both opposite energies are worshiped only in Japan.
To create new thing,we need both energy at a same time,same place.
Other regular shrines and small shrines(Hokora) all over Japan also protect each area.(More than 85,000 shrines)
And countless Kamidana table in each household guard its neighborhood.
My Kamidana/ How to do
Main root = the Grand shrine of ISE
Branches = Other local shrines and Hokora
Leaves = Kamidana tables
These all places for nature gods are protect Japan without omission.
We cherish small unknown shrines as well as big famous shrines.
If we don't take care of Hokora and Kamidana,
each area will be going to ruin gradually.
And bigger regions and country also ruin sooner or later.
Shinto's important concept is "taking care of places" for sacred things.(By people's efforts and acts)
Repeated and countless acts are needed in Shinto.
We call the act MATSURU.
Matsuru is a verb. Matsuri (Shinto festival or ritual) is a noun.
So,Shinto religion's festival is called matsuri.
Japanese festival is not for fun actually.
That is all for nature gods to show human's true gratitude.
For example,
Some people have Kamidana table in their house to worship local nature gods.
If they don't care of the table routinely,
it is meaningless table even if they put correct ofuda in Kamidana.
(Taking care of Kamidana = Changing water of water bowl and plants base every day)
Repeated act for specific place is really important in Shinto.
That repeated magnetism invite local nature gods to your Kamidana.
Sacred place is created by routine work with gratitude.
So,if many people wish private happiness like success in business at Shinto shrine,
the place will be polluted by ego.
Wishing private thing is very rude to nature gods who protect the area.
Private wish is depends on your correct efforts(80%) and blessing from your ancestors(20%)
You need to know how much your ancestors are helping and watching you.
Like God.
Well cleaned shrines are good and effective to guard the area.
Nature fairy gods are easy to stay in the clean shrine
and they can protect the area using the power of fresh water.
Japan's Shinto protects the Earth.
Only Japan has a nature worship as a national religion.
(Japan is not Buddhism country. Buddhism is new in Japan.Very important but not official in Japan)
Many foreign people love nature but they just enjoy it.
Enjoying nature and dedicating gratitude for nature are totally different in spiritual point of view.
What did you eat today?
I think you ate what you want.
Before eating,you wished the foods.(Image of foods)
Your foods appeared in front of you.(By your will)
You always repeat the cycle of expressing your will every day.
(Wish-appear-wish-appear...)
Meanwhile,you don't eat disliked foods.
Not wished foods never appear in your meal generally.
Only Japanese Shinto is always saying that "we need nature".
Only Japan have been keeping nature worship as national religion.
It was common worship all over the world in ancient time.
But dismembered worships will become one again.
