About Togakushi Shrine

Togakushi Shrine, located at the foot of Mount Togakushi in Nagano Prefecture, is a 2,000-year-old shrine consisting of five shrines (Okusha, Naka-sha, Hogo-sha, Hinomiko-sha, and Kutouryu-sha), each dedicated to a different deity. It is a sacred place based on Japanese mythology, especially deeply connected with the legend of Ama-no-Iwato, and is a tourist attraction that attracts many worshippers as a sacred place surrounded by a mysterious atmosphere. Surrounded by beautiful nature, the shrine is also a popular power spot and is known as a place where one can feel mystical powers.

The greatest attraction of Togakushi Shrine is its sacred environment in harmony with nature. The “cedar trees” along the approach to Okusha Shrine are particularly breathtaking, lined with giant trees that are approximately 400 years old and welcome worshippers in a solemn atmosphere. The approach to the shrine is about 2 km long, and many visitors find it refreshing to walk leisurely among the greenery. The path through the trees is popular among nature lovers and those seeking solace, as it allows visitors to enjoy the sacred air and the beauty of nature in a quiet atmosphere.

Togakushi Shrine is also known for the fact that each shrine has different benefits, and visitors are believed to receive many benefits from visiting the shrine. The Okusha Shrine is particularly good for “good luck” and “fulfillment of one's desire,” the Naka Shrine for “business prosperity” and “family safety,” the Hogosha Shrine for “academic achievement” and “improvement of arts and crafts,” the Hinomikosha Shrine for “matchmaking” and “fulfillment of performing arts,” and the Kutouryu Shrine for “water god” and “rain-making,” and many visitors come to the shrine to pray for these blessings. Thus, the shrine is a very attractive place for those who wish to receive diverse benefits at one time, as it is a shrine that answers to multiple wishes.

Furthermore, the beautiful scenery of the four seasons is a major attraction when visiting Togakushi Shrine. Fresh greenery in spring, cool, refreshing scenery in deep green in summer, and fiery autumn leaves adorning the shrine grounds in fall. The autumn foliage season is particularly spectacular and popular, attracting not only worshippers but also tourists. In winter, the shrine is blanketed in snow, and the snow-covered cedar trees and buildings create a mysterious atmosphere that makes visitors feel as if they are in a mythical world.

Another attraction of Togakushi Shrine is that along with its sacred atmosphere, you will feel a sense of physical and mental purification through worship. It is also a place where one can forget the hustle and bustle of daily life and refresh oneself by quietly facing nature with an empty mind while walking along the approach to the shrine. In particular, many people find that the approach to the inner shrine gives them a sense of solemnity as they walk, and they feel a sense of spiritual stability as well as a sense of accomplishment when they arrive.

Togakushi is also known for its famous Shinshu soba (buckwheat noodles), and enjoying Togakushi soba after visiting the shrine is recommended. The handmade soba made from locally produced buckwheat flour has a firm yet smooth texture and is loved by many visitors. In particular, soba served after visiting the shrine will give you an even greater sense of satisfaction.

All in all, Togakushi Shrine is a sightseeing spot that deeply blends history and nature, and is loved by many as a place to purify and heal the body and soul. It is a place where visitors can have a special experience away from their daily lives by quietly praying while experiencing the magnificent nature and ancient traditions.