Kamigura Shrine (Auxiliary Shrine of Kumano Hayatama Taisha)
Kamigura Shrine is considered the sacred site where the deities of Kumano first descended, even before they came to be worshiped as the three grand shrines of Kumano.
Located atop a steep cliff known as Amano-Iwatate, visitors must climb over 500 rugged stone steps—an ancient pilgrimage path—to reach the shrine’s sacred object, the enormous Gotobiki Rock.
Kumano Hayatama Taisha, built at the base of Mt. Kamikura, is the first to enshrine the deities in a newly constructed shrine hall, transitioning from a time when nature worship and primitive beliefs prevailed. For this reason, Kamigura Shrine is referred to as the "original shrine," while Kumano Hayatama Taisha is known as "Shingu Shrine," meaning "new shrine."
On February 6th, the unique and dramatic “Oto Matsuri” (Torch Festival) is held here.
A Spiritual Spot Rumored to Be Visited by Kimura Takuya and Masaharu Fukuyama
Some spiritual blogs and social media posts claim that celebrities like Takuya Kimura and Masaharu Fukuyama have visited Kamigura Shrine for “spiritual cleansing” or to “recharge their energy.” You’ll also find posts on platforms like TikTok and YouTube saying, “This place was amazing—apparently Kimura Takuya came here too!” sparking plenty of buzz among fans. However, these claims remain unverified rumors. There are no official confirmations that these celebrities have visited the shrine. So please take this information as anecdotal and for reference only!
15-minute walk from JR Shingu Station