A temizuya water pavilion (手水舎) within the shrine's grounds allows for ritual purification before approaching the deity
Nestled at the foot of majestic Mount Fuji, Fujiyoshida Sengen Shrine holds a significant place in Japanese spirituality. Dedicated to Princess Konohanasakuya, the Shinto deity associated with the sacred mountain, this shrine is one of over a thousand Fuji Sengen shrines scattered across the nation.
Formally known as Kitaguchi Hongū Fuji Sengen Jinja ⭐(北口本宮冨士浅間神社 or "North Entrance Fuji Sengen Shrine"), it serves as the principal shrine on Mount Fuji's northern slopes. Its counterpart, Fujisan Hongū Sengen Taisha, resides on the mountain's southern side in Fujinomiya.
Approaching the shrine, visitors traverse a serene path lined with ancient cedar trees and illuminated by rows of stone lanterns. The shrine complex, with its vibrant red buildings, features a main hall dating back to 1615, a traditional dancing stage, and several supporting structures.
Fuji’s Autumn Glow: A 60-Second Forest Bathing Ritual 🍂🗻(YouTube link)
Niiname-sai 新嘗祭: A Harvest Thanksgiving(YouTube link)
Photo Gallery
As I approached Fuji Sengen Shrine, I was struck by the presence of towering cedar trees, reminiscent of those I encountered at Kasugataisha Shrine in Nara. While Fuji Sengen Shrine may not possess the same grandeur as Kasugataisha, it possesses a unique scale and ambiance that distinguishes it from many other Shinto shrines across Japan.
A path lined with ancient stone lanterns and towering cedar trees leads to the entrance of the shrine
Blazing autumn colors adorned the stream winding through the forest within the shrine's grounds
Golden leaves from a majestic Gingko tree cascaded down, blanketing the shrine's grounds
Crystal‑clear water pours from a dragon‑shaped spout into the stone chozuya basin
The Nniiname-sai Festival (新嘗祭) was celebrated at the shrine's dancing stage
Traditional Taisha-kagura, ancient Shinto music and dance, were performed
A Quiet Day in a Berlin Park, 1933 In the early 1930s, Takehisa Yumeji's studio became a hub for artists, inspiring ventures like the Mt. Haruna Art Research Institute. In 1931, Yumeji began a journey to the United States and Europe, supported by exhibitions of his work. While in the U.S. for 16 months, he continued to paint, creating pieces like Nude on the West Coast. Afterward, Yumeji taught in Berlin until the school was closed by the Nazis. He returned to Japan in 1933, his overseas experiences shaping his final works. His last exhibition was held in Taipei that year. Yumeji passed away from tuberculosis in 1934, leaving behind a legacy of beauty and cultural exchange. Read more: Prints in Collection—Takehisa Yumeji (1884-1934) Kuronosuke 黒の助: a Legacy Little Black Cat (YouTube link ) Photo Gallery The Yumeji Art Museum in Okayama exhibits many black cat paintings because the artist, Yumeji Takehisa , frequently featured them in his work, particularly in his bij...
This is a passageway leading to Nankai-Namba Station. Be aware that underground passages in Japan can be quite complex for visitors. When you arrive at Kansai International Airport (symbol: KIX) and try to reach your destinations via trains, sometimes you need to make connections at Namba Station (see Fig. 2). Namba Station is one of the main connection points (the other two are Umeda and Tennoji Stations). But, Namba Station actually means 4 different stations on Google map (see Fig. 3&4) : Namba Station (Subway): This station provides access to the Osaka Metro lines: Midosuji (see Fig. 4), Sennichimae , and Yotsubashi . These lines can take you to popular destinations like Osaka Station, Koreatown, Honmachi, and Nippombashi. JR-Namba Station: This smaller station has only four tracks and two platforms. It's located within the Osaka City Air Terminal (OCAT) building, and the entrance can be easy to miss. Thankfully, it's connected to the ...
Koyasan (高野山), a popular pilgrimage destination for centuries, has been connected to the outside world by a network of pilgrimage trails. While most visitors enter the mountain by cable car nowadays, many of the pilgrimage trails still remain in use. Koyasan Travel—Temple Lodging (Shukubo; YouTube link ) Part of the pilgrimage trails, the Fudozaka Trail (不動坂; click the map to enlarge), leads to Koyasan from Gokurakubashi Station, the lower station of the Koyasan Cablecar. The steep, paved trail is 2.5 kilometers long and takes about an hour to ascend and less time to descend. The trail ends at the Nyonindo temple (女人堂). [1] On 11/27/2016, I have decided to descend from Fudozaka Trail instead of riding the cable car. I was the only person on the trail at beginning. However, in the middle of the trail, another young blonde girl passed me by swiftly with a big smile on her face. I was really surprised to see another soul on that rainy day. Althoug...
