Created as a place of worship for Mount Fuji, the country’s most sacred mountain, visitors are drawn to Kawaguchi Asama Shrine in Yamanashi Prefecture for its humbling views and serene atmosphere.
There are about 1,300 shrines around Japan with the name “Asama,” which means they are dedicated to Mount Fuji and connect with the appeasement or worship of volcanoes. These shrines are dedicated to Konohanasakuya-hime (cherry blossom princess), the goddess of volcanoes and Mount Fuji. Kawaguchi Asama Shrine is no different and was built in the year 865 as a means of appeasing the anger and eruptions of Mount Fuji.
In 2013, the shrine was designated as part of the Mount Fuji UNESCO World Heritage Site and had several noteworthy visitor spots. Near the main shrine are seven Japanese cedars, each with a different name and a life spanning over 1,200 years.
Two trees grow side by side, are collectively called futahashira (two pillars), and are known for bringing luck with matchmaking. You can buy small omamori (good luck charms) representing the two trees to bring that matchmaking luck with you wherever you go—I think we all know someone who could use that!
But for many, the main draw of the shrine is its small but picturesque torii (shrine gate), known as the tenku no torii (gate in the sky). It has this name because it sits atop a hill with a beautiful view of Mount Fuji. It was created in 2019 as a place to pray to Mount Fuji from a distance while being able to look directly at the mountain itself. It’s a bit far from the main shrine grounds and takes around 30 minutes to reach on foot.
When it comes to worshiping Mount Fuji, there are three practices: yohai (worship from a distance), shugen (training), and tohai (worship through climbing). Kawaguchi Asama Shrine prides itself on being the only shrine where you can do all three.
As well as worshiping Mount Fuji and appeasing its once fiery wrath, many people visit the shrine for matchmaking, safe births, good luck and protection against natural disasters. The annual festival at this shrine is called the magomi matsuri, celebrated on April 25. The festival has a showcase called chigo no maia (a ritual dance performance to prevent earthquakes and eruptions).
