spiritual japan

Visited a Powerful Spiritual Spot in Aomori, Japan – Towada Shrine! Lake Towada in Aomori is not only known as a scenic destination, but also as a spiritual and even haunted place. Right along its shores sits Towada Shrine, believed to be a sacred power spot with mystical energy. Along with Osorezan on the Shimokita Peninsula, this area was once a training ground for Shugendo (Japanese mountain asceticism), and it still exudes a mysterious spiritual atmosphere. One key feature of the shrine is the “Uraba”, or Fortune Telling Spot. From Towada Shrine, there’s a path about 150 meters into the ...

Kasama Inari Shrine is located in Kasama City, Ibaraki Prefecture. It was formerly classified as a village shrine and is now listed as a Beppyo Shrine under the Association of Shinto Shrines. It is also known as Kurumoshita Inari or Monsaburo Inari. The shrine has long been revered as a deity of abundant harvests and prosperous business. Over 3 million visitors come annually from all over Japan, not just the Kanto region. Kasama Inari Shrine is one of the Three Great Inari Shrines of Japan. The enshrined deity is Uka-no-Mitama-no-Kami, revered as the guardian of all industries and also worshipped ...

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 ...

Hayachine Shrine is said to have been founded in the year 807 by Narifusa, a descendant of Fujiwara no Kamatari, who established a sacred structure atop Mount Hayachine. During the Edo period, the shrine received the protection of Nanbu Toshinao, the local feudal lord, and its current main hall was constructed. The existing main shrine retains architectural elements from the early 17th century, including intricate carvings and detailed framing techniques. It is officially designated as a Tangible Cultural Property of Iwate Prefecture. The Zashiki-warashi Spirit of Hayachine Shrine Hayachine Shrine is also famous for stories involving *zashiki-warashi*—childlike guardian spirits said ...

Suwa Taisha – Where Legends and Magnetic Fields Collide Suwa Taisha is a sacred Shinto shrine spread across four locations around Lake Suwa in Nagano Prefecture. On this trip, I only had time to visit one—the Honmiya (Main Shrine) of the Upper Shrine—but trust me, even visiting just one was powerful enough! Originally two separate shrines (Kami-Suwa and Shimo-Suwa), they were unified during the Meiji period and are now known collectively as Suwa Taisha. The famous “Onbashira” sacred logs used in the wild festival held every 7 years? Yep, those are here too! I parked my car in kind of ...