Kanazana Shrine

Overview

Kanazana Shrine is located in Kamikawa-machi, Kodama-gun, in northwestern Saitama Prefecture. It's a venerable shrine that has long been the object of people's faith. Tradition holds that it was founded when Prince Yamatotakeru, during his eastern expedition, enshrined the fire-starting tool (hitauchi-gane) he received from his aunt, Princess Yamatohime, on Mount Omuso, dedicating the shrine to Amaterasu Omikami and Susanoo no Mikoto. The most distinctive feature of Kanazana Shrine is the absence of a main shrine building (honden). It maintains the ancient form of worship, directly venerating Mount Omuso as its sacred mountain (shintai-zan) from behind the worship hall (haiden). This is a rare practice among shrines nationwide, shared by only two others: Suwa Taisha in Nagano Prefecture and Ōmiwa Shrine in Nara Prefecture. The grounds feature a beautiful multi-storied pagoda (tahoto), designated as an Important Cultural Property of Japan, captivating visitors with its stunning appearance. The pagoda was donated by Abo Zenryu in 1534 (during the Tembun 3 year of the Muromachi period). It's a two-storied pagoda with a square base and a circular upper story, covered with cypress bark shingles. The pagoda itself stands 13.8 meters tall, with the finial adding another 4 meters. Furthermore, "Kagami-iwa" (Mirror Rock) located on the middle slope of Mount Ontake, is designated as a Special Natural Monument of Japan, allowing visitors to experience the rich history and natural beauty of the area. Geologically, Kagami-iwa is believed to be a slip surface formed by fault activity during the formation of the Hachioji tectonic line around 100 million years ago. The rock face is reddish-brown and polished to a sheen by strong friction. Kanazana Shrine is situated in a tranquil location surrounded by abundant nature, providing a space for mental and physical rejuvenation away from the hustle and bustle of city life. It's also known as a power spot, attracting many visitors who offer prayers and make wishes. Why not visit Kanazana Shrine to experience its history, nature, and find peace and tranquility?