Togakushi Shrine 戸隠神社

There is a saying that the goal is not only the goal but also the path that leads to it. Togakushi Shrine in Nagano Prefecture could be his allegory. Because, not content with counting 3 Shinto sanctuaries , the various paths that lead there are an ode to nature and meditation .

But let's start at the beginning because the very history of this sanctuary, which dates back to the year 210 BC , deserves closer attention. Togakushi means “hidden door” . This sanctuary would have inherited this name after the goddess Amaterasu, goddess of the Sun, locked herself in a hole because of the behavior of her brother Susanoo, god of storms, who was determined not to come out.

See: 5 Famous Japanese Legends

A SOLAR LEGEND

The country was then plunged into darkness . It was then that some kami decided to go near the hole where Amaterasu was hiding and to have a little party there in order to tempt the goddess to stick the tip of her nose out of her hiding place. This ruse paid off as Amaterasu walked out. Hardly had she set foot outside when one of the herculean kami took the door that closed her hiding place in his arms and sent her flying through the air. And it is at the current location of the Togakushi-jinja that she lands . Hence the name Hidden Door Shrine . This same sanctuary which venerates the various deities who worked for the liberation of the Sun Goddess and therefore for the return of light to the country.

TAKE THE TIME OF THE VISIT

To visit Togakushi-jinja, it is better to have time. First of all because you will have to take the bus from Nagano for an hour, to reach the mountains and the Joshinetsu kogen park and the surroundings of the temple. Once you arrive on site, you will quickly understand that the site has 3 monuments, the lower, central and upper sanctuary , all separated by about two kilometers each.

It is therefore better to plan to spend a good part of the day there and if you visit the site in winter, bring good walking shoes. Because if you can reach the different sanctuaries by bus, we advise you to walk instead, you will not regret it!

THE THREE TOGAKUSHI SHRINES

The Hoko-sha, the lower shrine , is the first that crosses our path when we arrive from Nagano. To reach it, you can take the stone staircase or a small, more gently sloping path.

To reach the Chu-sha, the middle sanctuary , separated from the Hoko-sha by 1.4 kilometers, you can therefore take the bus or criss-cross through the forest. This shrine is probably the busiest, since it has a few souvenir shops and it is possible to call for religious services. Do not forget, before leaving it, to embrace the large tree located near it: it will bring you luck!

A WONDERFUL PATH

But the magic undeniably operates when one enters the path of the upper sanctuary, the Oku-sha . You will have to walk along forest paths for nearly 45 minutes , often snow-covered in winter. A walk that will immerse the few visitors in an almost meditative state: the chirping of birds, the sound of rustling leaves or the snow crunching underfoot, when a red Zuishinmon door stands out in the background, marking the entrance to the sanctuary .

However, you will still have to walk fifteen minutes in a straight line before arriving at the temple. But what a straight line! Indeed, from the red door, your path will be bordered on both sides by gigantic cypresses . Enough to add another dreamlike dimension to this walk before finally reaching the long-awaited sanctuary.

For those who still have some strength left, do not hesitate to discover Lake Kagami , nearby. Meaning mirror in Japanese, you will quickly understand that it is well named. The surrounding mountains are reflected in it to perfection.