Discover the spiritual majesty of Togakushi Shrine in Nagano

Nested in the forested mountains of Nagano Prefecture, Togakushi Shrine is more than a religious site - it's a sacred journey into Japan’s mythology, culture, and natural beauty.

Map illustration of Togakushi in relation to other well-known locations in Nagano.  Image courtesy of Alpico Group via Go Nagano.

A Sacred Journey Through Five Shrines

Togakushi Shrine is a sprawling complex of five separate shrines, each dedicated to a different deity and purpose. These shrines — Okusha (Upper), Chusha (Middle), Hokosha (Lower), Kuzuryusha, and Hinomikosha — are tied to the legend of the sun goddess Amaterasu and the celestial cave Ama-no-Iwato.

Summer mini documentary on the Five Shrines.

Okusha (Upper Shrine): Strength and Achievement

• Deity: Ame-no-Tachikarao-no-Mikoto (god of physical strength)

• Highlights: A 2 km trail through towering 400-year-old cedar trees leads to the shrine

• Blessings: Good fortune, harvest, wish fulfillment, and success in sports

• Feature: The iconic Zuishinmon Gate and cedar-lined path, a designated natural monument

Chusha (Middle Shrine): Wisdom and Insight

• Deity: Ame-no-Yagokoro-Omoikane-no-Mikoto (god of wisdom)

• Highlights: Surrounded by ancient cedars, including the 800-year-old Sanbon Sugi

• Blessings: Academic success, business prosperity, family safety

Hokosha (Lower Shrine): Nurturing and Creativity

• Deity: Ame-no-Uwaharu-no-Mikoto, son of the wisdom deity 

• Highlights: Reachable via 270 stone steps through a dense cedar forest 

• Blessings: Protection for women and children, artistic achievement, safe childbirth 

Kuzuryusha: Water and Mystical Protection

• Deity: Kuzuryu-no-Okami, the nine-headed dragon god

• Highlights: Thought to be the oldest shrine, central to water and rain rituals

• Blessings: Love, protection from misfortune, especially tooth decay — a local belief

Hinomikosha: Joy and Performance

• Deity: Ame-no-Uzume-no-Mikoto, goddess of entertainment 

• Highlights: Features the symbolic “husband and wife” cedar trees and Saigyo Zakura 

• Blessings: Performing arts, marriage, romance, and fire prevention 

A Living Tapestry of Nature and Myth

Visitors are immersed in Nagano’s natural beauty - from snow-covered paths in winter to lush greenery in summer. The cedar avenue to the Upper Shrine is one of the most photographed spiritual walks in Japan. 

Winter mini documentary of the same Five Shrines.

Note the shrine crest, a swastika made of four sickles. While it may surprise Western visitors, this symbol in Japan represents agricultural prosperity and spiritual energy. 

From Ancient Worship to Modern Pilgrimage 

Togakushi’s history stretches back centuries as a site of Shinto mountain worship. It later merged with Tendai Buddhism as part of Kenkoji Temple and became a center for Shugendo (mountain asceticism).

After the Meiji Restoration in 1868, a national law separated Buddhism and Shintoism, returning Togakushi to its roots as a purely Shinto site.

Plan Your Visit

• Access: Take a bus from Nagano Station (approx. 1 hour)

• What to bring: Comfortable shoes, seasonal clothing, camera

• Best seasons: Autumn for vibrant leaves, winter for snow-covered shrines, summer for lush green trails

For more details, see the official English website of Togakushi Shrine.