Shizuoka｜Clear your soul at Hongu Sengen Shrine, the headquarters of 1,300 Sengen Shrines

Mount Fuji is surrounded by numerous Sengen Shrines in Yamanashi and Shizuoka Prefectures. Including remote shrines and branch shrines, there are over 1,300 shrines dedicated to Sengen Okami. The center of this Mount Fuji devotion is Fujinomiya in Shizuoka. The Hongu Sengen Taisha Shrine, said to have been built in 27 BC to quell volcanic eruptions, is said to have been built by Emperor Sujin.

As mountain worship evolved over time, shrines grew larger and larger. Important military commanders in Japanese history, such as Tokugawa Ieyasu and Minamoto no Yoritomo, held Sengen Shrine in high esteem. After the Battle of Sekigahara, Tokugawa built several shrines, believing them to be a divine blessing.

The Hongu Sengen Shrine, constructed with the distinctive Sengen style, echoes Mount Fuji from afar. Atop Mount Fuji, an Okumiya is also located. The shrine is dedicated to the deity Asama Okami, Konohananosakuyapi, who not only protects Mount Fuji but is also the deity of cherry blossoms. The shrine boasts over 500 cherry trees. Takeda Shingen personally planted the "Shingen Sakura" here, and many visitors come to visit and enjoy the cherry blossoms in early April each year.

Next to the shrine is the Wakudama Pond, which is fed by underground streams from Mount Fuji. While Mount Fuji peaks on July 1st, the water is still quite cold. You can buy bottles of Gorei water to take home, which has been designated a "Special Monument" by the Japanese government. Nearby is the Mizuya Shrine, dedicated to the gods of wells and thunder. Originating from Minamoto no Yoritomo, the shrine also holds the Yabusame Festival every May, continuing the tradition of horseback archery.

If you ask for a goshuin (goshuin), you'll also receive a Mount Fuji bookmark commemorating your visit. Special Mount Fuji fortune sticks and ema (e-ma) are also available here, making this a must-see for Mount Fuji enthusiasts.

📍Address: 1-1 Miyacho, Fujinomiya, Shizuoka 418-0067, Japan
🚗A 15-minute walk from JR Fujinomiya Station. Loop buses run every 1-2 hours around the city, so walking is recommended.
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Post by 旅行中的野馬 | Aug 18, 2025