Miyagi-ken Gokoku Jinja

I’ve written about these shrines in the past and the Miyagi Gokoku Jinja is no different. This shrine is a branch of the Yasukuni Jinja in central Tokyo, dedicated to honoring those who paid the ultimate sacrifice in survice to the safety and security of the nation. It’s a shrine that deserves our respect regardless of political ideologies.

For the casual: 4. For the educated: 4.

There’s not much to share about this shrine. There’s one in each prefecture honoring its citizens and this one is for Miyagi Prefecture. It’s not a shrine that I think people would seek out on their own, but considering it’s on the Sendai Castle grounds, most people will at least walk by it. The one feature which stood out to me was the good luck gourds which you can purchase and write wishes on. There’s a belief that a wish has a higher chance of coming true if you blow it into the gourd. Needless to say, these are not real gourds but wood which has been turned into gourd shape and is not actually hollow, but the sentiment still remains. By blowing your wish into the gourd then leaving it at the shrine, you are effectively entrusting your wish to the gods of the shrine.

 

Yamanaka Suwa Jinja

Yamanaka Suwa Jinja is a small shrine on the banks of Yamanaka Lake dedicated to the safety of children and to the safe birth of children. Many couples visit the shrine for luck concieving and healthy labor.

For the educated: 1. For the casual: 2.

Honestly there’s no real reason to go to this shrine other than to see a lovely little shrine. It’s well built, in a lovely location, and particularly beautiful in the autumn colors.

 

Hakone Jinja

Hakone Jinja is considered one of the most significant shrines in the Kanto region (Tokyo, Kanagawa, Saitama). Founded in 757 C.E., the shrine was founded as a source of good luck and good fortune. It was a shrine that was revered by warlords from Minamoto no Yoshitomo in the Heian/Kamakura Periods, to Tokugawa Ieyasu in the Edo Period. In fact, it was Minamoto no Yoritomo who is credited for boosting the reputation and notoriety of the shrine. It’s said that a giant nine-headed dragon was pacified by the priest of Hakone Jinja, and now that dragon serves the shrine to protect pilgrims and worshipers. Imagery and references can be found throughout the shrine to this dragon, most notably in the form of hand-cleansing basin with nine dragon heads dispensing water. The shrine is most known for its torii standing in the waters of Lake Ashinoko.

For the casual: 8. For the educated: 8.

So, to be clear, the only reason this shrine isn’t a 9 or a 10 is purely due to its distance from major hubs. Many people add a day trip to Hakone from Tokyo and in that regard it’s a very easy location to access, but it does require a full day trip. Is it worth it? I certainly think so because Hakone is a beautiful place to hike, bike, drive, bathe, and so much more. Hakone Jinja is certainly no exception to that. For starters, many readers have probably seen this shrine before and just don’t know it. The famous shots of this shrine are from the south shore of Lake Ashinoko looking to the north west where you can get Mt. Fuji and the water torii of Hakone Jinja in one shot. If that sounds familiar, then here you go!

Hakone Jinja is really known for it’s water torii and that means beautiful sights, but also long lines of people taking photos below the gate, by the gate, near the gate, and every other possibility. But that’s only one part of the shrine’s appeal! The shrine is also known for its surrounding forest which is original protected forest area. Some of the ceder pine trees are over 600 years old! In the middle of these amazing giant trees, the shrine stands in vermillion brilliance with gold capped finials. It’s a really amazing shrine with wonderful atmosphere.

The last part of the shrine requires a little bit of travel. The current location of Hakone Jinja actually not the original location, and instead the original shrine is up on the higher slopes of Mt. Hakone. It’s mainly accessable by the Komagatake Hakone Ropeway. The Hakone Mototsumiya Shrine is the original shrine to Mt. Hakone and the sulfur plumes which provides Hakone with its renowned hot springs.

 

Kitaguchi Hongu Fuji Sengen Jinja

In the dense forests of Yamanashi Prefecture, just outside of the city of Fuji Yoshida, Kitaguchi Hongu Fuji Sengen Jinja is the shrine marking the northern path leading to the summit of Mt. Fuji. The shrine is dedicated to Konohanasakuya-hime, the goddess of all volcanoes across Japan. It’s not known when exactly the shrine was first established, but this shrine is one of over a thousand across Japan, and some of them date back to the Yayoi Period (~300 B.C.E. - 300 C.E.).

For the educated: 10. For the casual: 10.

Let’s start with the crucial and inequivocal truth: this is the shrine to Mt. Fuji. This is it! This is where, for centuries, pilgrims would recieve blessings to climb the mountain and have their faith rewarded via the steep incline. Beneath ancient pines, visitors can walk the long straight up to the first gate, then through to the inner shrine to pray. I visited just after New Years, and the lines to pray were so long we were sorted into groups, then subdivided again, then directed to a place to stand to wait our turn to pray. It was one hell of an ordeal, but worth every moment. Technically, the path through the shrine continues to the summit where the main shrine can be found.