A tour of five shrines at Togakushi Shrine, one of the most famous power spots in Japan!

  • Nagano
  • Experience Gifu
Photo courtesy of Togakushi Shrine

Now it's time for a tour of the five shrines!

Togakushi Shrine is one of the most famous power spots in Japan. Togakushi Shrine consists of three shrines, Okusha Shrine, Naka Shrine, and Hokosha Shrine, and five other shrines, Kutouryu Shrine and Hinomikosha Shrine. The history of Togakushi Shrine can be traced back to Japanese mythology, and it is said that the shrine was founded around Togakushi Mountain, which is said to have taken its present form after "Ama-no-Iwato" (Ama-no-Iwato) flew out of the mountain, and has a history of about 2,000 years.

This section introduces a walking tour of the five shrines. It takes about 4 to 5 hours to make the tour on foot, but you will be able to see the townscape and scenery of Togakushi that can only be seen on foot. There is no official rule for the five-shrine tour, but since Okusha is the main shrine, we recommend that you visit Hogo-sha, Hinomiko-sha, Naka-sha, Kutouryu-sha, and Okusha in order from Okusha to Naka-sha.
The 274-step stairway to Hogakusha Shrine

Hogosha Shrine for easy childbirth, protection from bad luck, and marriage

First, the Hogo-sha Shrine is located at the end of a long flight of 274 steps. Feel the sacred atmosphere of Togakushi Shrine as you make your spirited ascent. Don't worry, there is a gentle path called "Onna-michi." The deity of the shrine is Amenowaharu no Mikoto. The main benefits of the shrine are said to be the protection of women in particular, such as safe delivery, protection from bad luck, and marriage. The shrine pavilion is the oldest of the five Togakushi shrines, built in 1861, and is surrounded by beautiful carvings.
Hogakusha Shrine

Hinomiko-sha Shrine for entertainment, marriage, and fire prevention

After visiting the shrine, take the "kanmichi" (path) leading from the north side of the shrine building to Hinomiko-sha. The path is about 700 meters long and takes about 10 to 15 minutes even if you walk slowly. The path is a forested path connecting the three shrines, Hogosha, Hinomiko-sha, and Naka-sha, and is so atmospheric that it makes one feel as if the gods are coming and going.

A stone torii welcomes visitors to Hinomiko-sha. It is the smallest of the five shrines and has a quiet, simple atmosphere. The deity is Ame-no-Uzume-no-mikoto, who performs a dance in front of Ama-no-Iwato. She is known as the deity who performed a dance in front of Ama-no-Iwato (Ama-no-Iwato) and pulled the sun god out of the Iwato. For this reason, he is revered as the god of bugaku performing arts, the god of marriage, and the god of fire prevention.
Hinomiko-sha Shrine

Naka Shrine for good luck in schoolwork and business

After visiting Hinokamiko Shrine, the next stop is Naka Shrine. The main approach to the shrine is lined with stores selling traditional Togakushi crafts and Togakushi soba (buckwheat noodles). This is the busiest area of Togakushi Shrine. As you pass through the large torii gate and enter the shrine grounds, you will see a sacred tree that is over 700 years old, as well as an 800 year old Sanbon-sugi (three cedar trees) that have been regarded as sacred since ancient times. Let's receive power here. The deity is "Ame no Yagokoro Omoikane-no-mikoto" (Ame no Yagokoro Omoikane-no-mikoto). It is said that he is the god who inspired the opening of Ama-no-Iwato, and that his divine virtues include academic success, business prosperity, good luck, protection from bad luck, and family safety.
Naka Shrine

Kutouryu Shrine for rain-making, tooth decay, and good luck

Next, let's go to the Kutouryuu Shrine. Kutouryuu Shrine is adjacent to Okusha Shrine, and it is about 2 km to the entrance of the Okusha Shrine approach. There is a torii gate at the Okusha entrance, and it is about 2 km one way from the torii gate to the shrine building. At the halfway point, there is an impressive Zuijinmon gate with a thatched roof and vermilion paint. Beyond the Zuijinmon gate, a row of cedar trees over 400 years old, planted in the Edo period (1603-1867), stretches about 500 meters and is designated as a natural monument by Nagano Prefecture. Visitors can feel the great power of nature and the mysterious atmosphere. After the cedar trees end, the path gradually turns into stone steps, and when you reach the top, you will finally arrive at the Kutouryuu Shrine and Okusha Shrine.
Mysterious atmosphere of cedar trees
Kuzuryu Shrine is said to be the oldest of the five shrines. The deity is Kuzuryu-no-Ookami, the local deity of Togakushi. He is revered as the god of water, the god of rain, the god of tooth decay, and the god of marriage. A god of tooth decay? You might think so. It is said that if one makes an offering of pears, the Kuzuryu's favorite food, and swears to never eat pears for the rest of his life, he will be cured of his dental disease, and thus, the deity is said to be beneficial for tooth decay. What a unique god!
Kutouryu Shrine

Okusha Shrine for fulfilling one's wishes, good harvests, and victory

Finally, we went to Okusha, the main shrine of Togakushi Shrine, located beyond Kutouryu-sha. The deity is Amenetajikarao-no-mikoto. The deity is believed to bring good luck, fulfillment of one's desires, abundance of grain, and victory in sports. This shrine is said to be dedicated to Amaterasu Omikami, the deity who opened the "Heavenly Gate" when he was hiding in "Amano-Iwaya" with his unrivaled divine power. After visiting Okusha Shrine, you have completed the five shrine tour.
Okusha Shrine

Unusual Omikuji

When you visit a shrine, you will want to draw a fortune, and at Togakushi Shrine, it is a little different from other shrines. First, you tell your age and gender. It is a little embarrassing, but tell them, "I am 100 years old! It is a little embarrassing, but tell them, "I am 100 years old! Then, a Shinto priest will go to the back of the shrine office and draw a omikuji (written omikuji) with your age and gender in a prayer. After that, he will hand it to each person. Do not tie the omikuji to a tree branch, but take it home with you as it will serve as an indicator for the year to come. You can draw it at the Okusha, Naka-sha, and Hogo-sha shrine giving stations.

It is a day-long tour of the five shrines, but you will be more than pleasantly tired and will be filled with a sense of accomplishment and a sacred feeling, and you will surely be refreshed by the power of nature. There are many lodging facilities called "shukubo" around Togakushi Shrine, so staying at a shukubo is also recommended to relieve your fatigue. You can enjoy traditional vegetarian food, Shinshu beef, Shinshu salmon, and other dishes unique to Nagano, as well as participate in the morning prayers, all of which are unique to shukubo.

Why not take a trip to Togakushi to recharge your soul with divine power?

Let's combine your favorite train and lodging to save money!

You can make your own original trip!

The " JR East View Dynamic Rail Package " is a variable-price individual travel product available only on the web, which allows you to choose your train and lodging at your leisure and make a reservation at once. Depending on the timing and conditions of your reservation, you may be able to save even on the day of departure at the earliest! We also offer one-day trip plans! We also offer one-day trip plans!

Click here for details

For train + accommodation "Nagano Area" reservations, please visit 【 JR East View Dynamic Rail Package 】

For hands-on tour activities, try VELTRA!

For hands-on activities in Togakushi area, please visit
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