Kasuga Shrine, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Nara, was vandalized.

S/ Reporter/ This corridor within Kasuga Shrine is registered by the country as an important cultural property, and one of the pillars has been vandalized with kanji characters with what appears to be a blue pen.

According to police, an employee confirmed the vandalism was on a pillar on the east corridor of the shrine’s main hall after a visitor reported it on the morning of September 9.

The blue kanji writing spelled out what appears be a person’s name and the characters for eternal love.

At another site for prayer, the characters for the number 2022 were spotted.

S/ Junior Priest/ This incident is very unfortunate for the shrine. We never want this manner of incident to happen again.