Togakushi Shrine's Five Shrines and Tenmei Inari Shrine | Quietly Centering at the Okusha and the Words of the Omikuji
Introduction
Hello.
While I am not quite at the level of what one might call 'mountain climbing,' I enjoy a 'gentle mountain hike' where I can converse with my inner self through interactions with the inner shrines.
This time, I visited the five shrines of Togakushi Shrine and the
hidden power spot in Togakushi known to those in the know, Tenmei Inari Shrine.
This memoir will continue for a while longer.
Why I chose this
Since the beginning of this year, events that seemed to suggest Inari shrines began to occur one after another.
At first, I didn't understand what was happening, but at one point, I was blessed with the opportunity to learn about Tenmei Inari Shrine near Togakushi Shrine.
If I didn't understand, I decided to go immediately, and carried out a lightning-fast day trip!
From the moment I decided to visit, strangely, nothing else happened, so it felt like a quiet invitation.
Ever since I learned about the origins of Togakushi at Amanoiwato Shrine in Takachiho, I had a desire to 'definitely visit someday,' so perhaps it was a natural progression.
Basic Information about the Shrines
They are all connected by a forest road called Kanmichi, and you can visit them on foot.
You can also visit by car, but the Okusha and Kuzuryu Shrine are accessible only on foot!
Hinomiko Shrine
Deities: Ame-no-Uzume-no-Mikoto, Taka-mi-musubi-no-Mikoto, Ame-no-Oshihomimi-no-Mikoto
Blessings: Performing arts, good fortune, matchmaking, fire protection
Features: Ame-no-Uzume-no-Mikoto, who appears in the Amanoiwato legend, is enshrined here. The husband-and-wife cedar trees are impressive.
Parking: Information says there is space for about 3 cars next to the torii gate.
*I intended to go from the Chusha (Middle Shrine), but since there were few parking spaces, I visited here first the moment I found an empty spot.
Chusha (Middle Shrine)
Deity: Ame-no-Tajikarao-no-Mikoto
Blessings: Good fortune, career success
Parking: Free parking available at the West Approach entrance (about 20 spaces)
The famous Three Cedar Trees... as I approached, I saw a sign that said,
“This cedar is one of the Three Cedar Trees.”!! Wait, so this isn't the Three Cedar Trees, but just one of them??
<The Story of the Three Cedar Trees>
In front of Togakushi Shrine's Chusha, there are three large cedar trees standing in an equilateral triangle, centered around a torii gate. Each side of the triangle is approximately 72 meters long. ...
I searched for the remaining two.
Hokosha (Treasure Light Shrine)
Deity: Ame-no-Uwaharu-no-Mikoto
Blessings: Safe childbirth, matchmaking, and women's wishes
Features: 260 stone steps, elegant carvings on the shrine building
Parking: Free parking available (approx. 20 spaces)
*While all five shrines were wonderful, Hokosha was the one that made my heart leap the most.
260 stone steps
Kuzuryusha (Nine-Headed Dragon Shrine)
Deity: Kuzuryu Okami
Blessings: Good fortune, prosperous business
Features: A center for dragon worship, located beside the Okusha
Tenmei Inari Shrine
A hidden power spot known to those in the know
Deity: Toyouke Okami
Blessings: Knowing and teaching one's destiny
Access: Accessible from Kagami-ike Pond or via a side path from the Zuishin-mon Gate
Parking: Walk from the Kagami-ike Pond parking lot, or walk from the Okusha approach entrance parking lot. *It seems it was closer from Kagami-ike Pond.
Just as the name suggests, like a mirror♡
As someone who can't read maps, I didn't know which path to take...
I gave up, parked my car at the Okusha approach entrance parking lot, and decided to take the route entering the mountain path on the left side just before the Zuishin-mon Gate.
I headed down the narrow forest path on the left side of the Zuishin-mon Gate.
I occasionally passed people carrying bear bells.
As I kept walking along the path, which was narrow and sometimes slippery...
As I continued further, I saw a red torii gate.
The path to the Okusha
Okusha (Inner Shrine)
Deity: Amenotajikarao-no-mikoto
Blessings: Good luck, attracting fortune
Elevation: Approx. 1,350 m
*The elevation at the Okusha entrance is approx. 1,215 mRequired time: Approx. 40 minutes on foot from the Okusha entrance (approach entrance)
Parking: Okusha approach entrance (paid)
After parking at the Okusha approach entrance parking lot, first, aim for the Zuishinmon Gate.
(May)
It takes about 15 minutes to reach the Zuishinmon Gate, and from here to the Okusha, the path gradually becomes a bit of an uphill slope.
I visited around May, but there was still some snow left...
After passing through the Zuishinmon Gate, about 25 minutes later, the torii gate of the Okusha came into view.
Follow the righteous path without a double heart
Here, I received a special omikuji (fortune slip) where a priest chants a prayer after I tell them my traditional Japanese age.
There was a line, so I was a little embarrassed... (Am I the oldest?)
"A sign that you will accomplish things by following the righteous path without a double heart"--
One will flourish, one will decline...
It felt like something was coming to an end, and while I felt a slight pain in my heart, I repeated the words to myself as I descended the mountain.
Some time after returning from this visit, I felt the path ahead quietly aligning into one.
An omikuji is a message from the gods for that day—
I always cherish and take these messages to heart.
It is said that you should not tie these omikuji here, but rather take them home to serve as a guide for the year.
The deity I should have faith in is also written on it.
Konohanasakuya-hime and Iwanaga-hime
It said the Great Deity of Mount Fuji.
I was so happy.
Physical effort and difficulty: ★★☆☆☆
The path from the Okusha approach entrance to the Zuishin-mon Gate is a paved, flat road.
(Approx. 15 minutes)
From the Zuishin-mon Gate to the Okusha, the path gradually ascends.
(Approx. 25 minutes)
You can reach it while enjoying the mystical and beautiful scenery.
Conclusion
The pilgrimage to the five Togakushi shrines was a place where I could connect with the gods through an invisible antenna and be shown the path I should walk.
Starting a 'gentle Okumiya mountain climb' in your 50s is not just about moving your body, but a precious time to quietly face your life—
Walking at your own pace leads you to unexpected scenery and connections.
I hope this serves as a helpful reference for your own enjoyable time.
Thank you for reading.
Preview of the next article
Next time, I will be visiting the guardian shrine of Lake Toya in Hokkaido,
'Abuta Shrine'
I will be climbing the Ryuzan path!