Fujisan Hongu Sengen Taisha Shrine - The heart of Fuji worship, where Japan's spirituality and natural beauty converge

In the 7th episode of the anime “Laid-Back Camp” SEASON 2, Nadeshiko Kagamihara, who is heading for her first solo camping trip, visits Fujinomiya City before heading to the campsite. One of the places she visits is Fujisan Hongu Sengen Taisha Shrine.

Fujisan Hongu Sengen Taisha Shrine

Fujisan Hongu Sengen Taisha Shrine is one of Japan’s most prestigious shrines, located at the northwestern foot of Mount Fuji. It is known as the center of Fuji worship, serving as the head shrine of the approximately 1,300 Sengen shrines nationwide, and is visited by many worshippers and tourists.

This shrine enshrines the majestic Mount Fuji as its sacred body and has been revered as an object of mountain worship since ancient times. The shrine grounds are lined with magnificent main and auxiliary shrines, inspiring a sense of awe in visitors.

Visiting hours

November-February: 6:00 am ~ 7:00 pm

March, October: 5:30 am ~ 7:30 pm

April-September: 5:00 am ~ 8:00 pm

Visiting hours

November-February: 6:00 am ~ 7:00 pm

March, October: 5:30 am ~ 7:30 pm

April-September: 5:00 am ~ 8:00 pm

Regular holiday

Open year-round

Time required

30 ~ 40 minutes

Telephone number

+081-544-27-2002

Official site

http://fuji-hongu.or.jp/sengen/

Parking

Paid parking available on site (free for a certain period)

How to visit

8-minute walk from JR Nishi-Fujinomiya Station

15-minute walk from JR Fujinomiya Station

Address

1-1 Miyamachi, Fujinomiya, Shizuoka 418-0067, Japan

It was quite close from Nishi-Fujinomiya Station and within walking distance. It takes about 3 minutes by car and 10 minutes on foot.

Time required: 30 ~ 40 minutes

Here is a guide map of Fujisan Hongu Sengen Taisha Shrine.

The time required is about 30 to 40 minutes to take a leisurely tour of the shrine grounds.

Ichinotorii (First Torii Gate)

The entrance to Fujisan Hongu Sengen Taisha Shrine. It is a large torii gate facing south. It is very magnificent, colorful, and impressive.

Majestic Guardian Dogs (Komainu)

Majestic komainu (guardian dogs) protect the shrine, making you want to take pictures.

Statue of Minamoto no Yoritomo

Minamoto no Yoritomo is a famous warrior and shogun in Japan. It is said that Yoritomo venerated Mount Fuji. He regarded Mount Fuji as a sacred mountain and revered it as his guardian deity. With this devotion, Yoritomo made Sengen Taisha Shrine the guardian shrine of the Kamakura Shogunate.

The Kamakura Shogunate, established by Yoritomo, financially supported Sengen Taisha Shrine. This support led to the restoration and expansion of the shrine buildings, and Sengen Taisha Shrine flourished. The statue of Yoritomo can be seen as an expression of gratitude for this favor.

Minamoto no Yoritomo is one of the most important figures in Japanese history. The statue of Yoritomo is also a symbol of warriors and represents the role of Sengen Taisha Shrine as the guardian deity of warriors. It is a symbolic presence that shows the deep connection between Yoritomo and Sengen Taisha Shrine, and an important element that tells the history and faith of the shrine.

Romon Gate

The Romon Gate of Fujisan Hongu Sengen Taisha Shrine is a structure characterized by its beautiful vermilion-lacquered exterior. It was constructed in 1604 by Tokugawa Ieyasu and is designated as an Important Cultural Property.

The distinctive feature of the Romon Gate is its ornate decorations. On both sides of the gate, there are carvings depicting rough waves and clouds, which are said to represent the divine power of Sengen Okami, the deity of Mount Fuji. The upper part of the gate is adorned with vivid vermilion lacquer and dazzling gold decorations. These luxurious decorations express reverence for Sengen Okami and serve to guide visitors into a sacred space.

Temizusha (Purification Fountain)

The temizusha at Fujisan Hongu Sengen Taisha Shrine is a unique one with a copper roof that is designated as an Important Cultural Property. It is said to have been constructed in the late Edo period.

The temizusha is fed with the sacred water of Wakutama Pond, a spring from the foot of Mount Fuji. This sacred water is believed to bring blessings from the deity of Mount Fuji.

The temizusha is a place for purifying one’s hands before worship. By washing their hands with this water, visitors can purify themselves and enter the sacred place in a cleansed state.

Visitors use a ladle to scoop water twice to wash their hands and rinse their mouth once at the temizusha. After that, they purify their left hand, right hand, left foot, and right foot in that order.

Haiden (Worship Hall)

The haiden is an irimoya-style building designated as an Important Cultural Property. It was constructed in 1604 by Tokugawa Ieyasu and is located in front of the main shrine.

The haiden is a spacious structure with a frontage of 10 ken (about 18 meters) and a depth of 5 ken (about 9 meters), with three doors on the front, left, and right sides. The roof is thatched with hinoki bark and has chidorihafu (gable ornaments resembling plovers).

Inside the haiden, there is an altar for placing offerings to the deities and a kagura-den (sacred dance stage). In the kagura-den, sacred dances are dedicated to express gratitude to the deities.

Shrine Grounds

On days with few visitors, the shrine grounds are very quiet. It has a solemn atmosphere suitable for greeting the deities.

There were various types of omikuji (fortune-telling strips). What kind of fortune should we have told? Since we’ve come all the way to the shrine, let’s try drawing one.

Wakutama Pond

Wakutama Pond is designated as a Special Natural Monument of Japan, with 2.4 liters of water per second flowing out from the melted snow of Mount Fuji that has become underground water.

The water temperature is said to remain almost constant at 13°C throughout the year.

Water can be drawn from the pond. Local people were coming to draw water.

This scenery is very refreshing, and just looking at it is soothing. Purifying oneself with the melted snow of Mount Fuji is a truly precious experience.

Wakutama Pond is quite large, and combined with the fresh greenery, it is enveloped in a divine atmosphere. It made me feel like my heart was being cleansed.

To reach Wakutama Pond, there is an entrance on the east side of the haiden, and you can go there from that entrance.

First Parking Lot

Fujisan Hongu Sengen Taisha Shrine has a paid parking lot. Since it is free for a certain period of time, it is recommended to park in this parking lot when accessing by car.

The parking lot is quite spacious. It can accommodate 75 vehicles.

• Parking hours
  • 5:00 AM to 7:00 PM (exit is possible 24 hours)
• Parking fees
  • Free for the first 30 minutes, then 200 yen per hour thereafter
  • Maximum 1,500 yen for 24 hours

How to get to the First Parking Lot

The First Parking Lot is located on the west side, and the torii gate serves as the entrance, so enter through there.

After entering the entrance, there is a downhill slope on the right, so enter there to reach the First Parking Lot.

In any case, after passing through the torii gate, turn right.

Fujisan Hongu Sengen Taisha Shrine: The sacred ground where the deity of Mount Fuji dwells

Fujisan Hongu Sengen Taisha Shrine is a sacred place located at the foot of Mount Fuji, the symbol of Japan, and has been revered as the center of mountain worship since ancient times. It has numerous attractions that captivate visitors, such as the majestic shrine buildings, beautiful grounds, and Wakutama Pond, a blessing from Mount Fuji.

It is also known as a place associated with Minamoto no Yoritomo and has an aspect as a symbol of warriors. The historic buildings constructed with the involvement of Tokugawa Ieyasu during the Edo period are designated as Important Cultural Properties, attesting to their high historical value.

The experience of gazing at the majestic figure of Mount Fuji, purifying oneself with the pristine water, and being surrounded by a divine atmosphere is sure to leave a deep impression on the hearts of those who visit.

Fujisan Hongu Sengen Taisha Shrine is easily accessible and has a parking lot, making it convenient to visit. It is a special place where you can simultaneously experience the spirituality and natural beauty of Japan. We highly recommend visiting this sacred ground at least once and experiencing the blessings of the deity of Mount Fuji.