Togakushi Shrine
戸隠神社
An ancient shrine complex of five sanctuaries, including Okusha and Chusha. The cedar avenue along the Okusha approach, with trees about 400 years old, is awe-inspiring.
Togakushi Shrine sits on the Togakushi Plateau northwest of Nagano City and consists of five shrines: Hokosha, Hinomiko-sha, Chusha, Kuzuryusha, and Okusha. Legend links it to the Heavenly Rock Cave myth, and it is a well-known power spot. The highlight is the Okusha approach. About 2 km from the entrance, you pass the vermilion Zuijin Gate and walk down an avenue lined with about 300 huge cedar trees, ending at Okusha and Kuzuryusha. The one-way walk takes about 40 minutes. The area around Chusha is home to long-established soba restaurants, and the district is reputed to be one of Japan's three great soba centers. The shrine is free to visit. From Nagano Station, take the Togakushi Line bus for about 1 hour to Chusha or the Okusha entrance. From late November to around April, the Okusha main hall cannot be worshipped at.
Opening hours
Open all day (Okusha closed in winter)
Nearby sights
- Kagami-ike Pond
- Zenkō-ji
- Nagano Prefectural Art Museum
- Lake Nojiri
- Myoko Kogen (Akakura Onsen Ski Area)
- Kawanakajima Battlefield (Hachimanbara Park)
- Matsushiro Castle & Sanada Treasure Museum
- Matsushiro Underground Imperial Headquarters