Hodosan Jinja Shrine

Overview

Hodosan Jinja Shrine is located in Nagatoro-machi, Chichibu-gun, Saitama Prefecture, and is considered one of the Chichibu Three Shrines. Founded in 111 AD, the shrine has a legend connecting it to Prince Yamato Takeru's conquest of the eastern provinces. According to shrine records, during Prince Yamato Takeru's eastern campaign, while climbing Mt. Hodo, the only independent peak in Chichibu, after performing a ritual purification, he encountered a raging fire. A mountain dog jumped into the fire and extinguished it, giving the mountain the name Hodo-san (fire-stopping mountain). Learning that the dog was a divine dog of the deity Oyama-gumi, a shrine was built at the mountain foot to enshrine three deities, marking the shrine's origin. The shrine buildings consist of a honden (main hall), haiden (offering hall), and haiden (worship hall), rebuilt from the late Edo period to the early Meiji period. The vividly colored carvings of dragons and other figures on the ranma (decorative lattice) of the gongen-zukuri style shrine building are a highlight. The colors were beautifully restored during renovations in the Heisei period. Five dragons adorn the pillars of the kohai (porch), and the four sacred animals of Chinese mythology, including the Azure Dragon and White Dragon, are carved on the front. The carvings are the work of Iida Ganjiro, a sculptor from Musashi Kumagai. The Okumiya Shrine is located at the summit of Mt. Hodo and is accessible via the Hodozan Ropeway. The ropeway takes about 15 minutes from the base station to the summit station, offering stunning views of Nagatoro's lush natural landscape. From the Okumiya Shrine, you can enjoy panoramic views of Nagatoro town, the Arakawa River, and the Chichibu mountains. Autumn is particularly spectacular, with the vibrant fall foliage attracting many visitors. Hodosan Jinja Shrine offers a tranquil escape surrounded by nature, making it perfect for those seeking to refresh their mind and body away from the hustle and bustle of city life. It is also recommended for those interested in history, culture, and power spots.