Kumano Kotai Shrine (Famous Regional Features) (Nagano Side)

– Kumano Kotai Shrine – 熊野皇大神社- Karuizawa (軽井沢) – July 22, 2022 Kumano Kotai Shrine is one of the many shrines located along the Nakasendo Highway connecting Kyoto and Tokyo. Built right on the border between modern day Nagano Prefecture and Gunma Prefecture, you can straddle the border and literally be in both prefectures at once. There’s even a plate set into the ground marking the line. We had a good time hopping back and forth across the line. There are several goshuin available at this shrine. This is one of the special ones available on the Nagano Prefecture side…

Continue reading

Nihon San Dai Kumano (Kumano Kotai Shrine) (Gunma Side)

Kumano Kotai Jinja

– Kumano Kotai Shrine – 熊野皇大神社- Karuizawa (軽井沢) – July 22, 2022 Kumano Kotai Shrine is one of the many shrines located along the Nakasendo Highway connecting Kyoto and Tokyo. Built right on the border between modern day Nagano Prefecture and Gunma Prefecture, you can straddle the border and literally be in both prefectures at once. There’s even a plate set into the ground marking the line. We had a good time hopping back and forth across the line. There are several goshuin available at this shrine. This is one of the special ones available on the Gunma Prefecture side…

Continue reading

Kumano Shrine (Kumano Kotai Shrine) (Gunma Side)

  – Kumano Shrine – 熊野神社- Karuizawa (軽井沢) – July 22, 2022 Kumano Kotai Shrine is one of the many shrines located along the Nakasendo Highway connecting Kyoto and Tokyo. Built right on the border between modern day Nagano Prefecture and Gunma Prefecture, you can straddle the border and literally be in both prefectures at once. There’s even a plate set into the ground marking the line. There are several goshuin available at this shrine. This is the basic goshuin for the Gunma Prefecture side of the shrine located near the entrance. The center part in black says “Kumano Shrine”…

Continue reading

Kogane Shrine – Gold

Gold goshuin for Kogane Shrine

Kogane Shrine 金神社 Gifu (岐阜市) March 21, 2022 About Kogane Shrine Originally established in the year 135AD during the 5th year of Emperor Seimu’s reign, people have come to Kogane Shrine to pray for financial success for a long time. It is also one of the three shrines that participate in the Gifu Matsuri, the other two being Inaba Shrine and Kashimori Shrine. My Visit to Kogane Shrine It has been a while since I last visited in 2018. I didn’t know about Premium Gold Day (プレミアム金デイー) at the time and got my goshuin on regular paper. Their special gold…

Continue reading

Ishikiri Tsurugiya Shrine Goshuin

Ishikiri Tsurugiya Shrine 石切劔箭神社 Osaka (名古屋) January 3, 2022 About Ishikiri Tsuruga Shrine Ishikiri Tsuruga Shrine has a long history dating back to 659BC (over 2,000 years ago) during the reign of the first emperor of Japan, Emperor Jimmu. Both Umashimade-no-mikoto and Nigihayahi-no-mikoto in Miyayama are worshipped here. The power of the gods were said to be able to cut stone, thus the name “Ishikiri.” The deities are also believed to be able to help cure tumors. Locals often call the shrine “Ishikiri-san” It also houses the sword known as Ishikiri-maru and is a popular stop for fans of Touken…

Continue reading

Kifune Shrine

Kifune Shrine Goshuin

Kifune Shrine 貴船神社 Kibune (貴船) December 31, 2019 About Kifune Shrine Kifune Shrine is actually three shrines, the main shrine, rear shrine, and Yui no Yashiro shrine, all located in a line at the base of Mt Kibune. The main shrine has been in its current location since 1055 and is famous for its sacred water. Yui no Yashiro shrine is famous for matchmaking. The rear shrine is actually the oldest of the three. A pit that’s called “Ryuketsu” or “dragon den” is at the center of the shrine. As it’s an extremely holy place, the dragon din is not…

Continue reading

Hokoku Shrine (Osaka)

– Hokoku Shrine – 豊國神社- Osaka(大阪市) – December 30, 2019 The instant you get out of the station, you can spot Osaka Castle. It’s raised up high above the mote and stands several stories high. You can’t help but stare at it as you stroll through the park towards it. But as you wander around the corner, your eye gets taken by a large torii gate. This is the gate to Hokoku Shrine. Just through the torii you can see a large statue of the man the shrine’s dedicated to: Toyotomi Hideyoshi, the second great unifier of Japan and the…

Continue reading