This article is based on a visit made on Friday, 11 May 2018.
Edit 9 October 2019: Updated prices to reflect the increase in Japan's national sales tax.
Previously on Sekai Ichi, I embarked on a private day-tour of the Fuji Five Lakes. After stopping at
a pleasant little craft shop restored by our tour guide, he took us to our first destination, Kawaguchi Asama Shrine (河口浅間神社,
Kawaguchi Asama-jinja).
Asama Shrines are a sub-set of Shinto shrines devoted to the god of volcanoes, Sakuya-hime, whom I mentioned before. Their purpose is to placate her spirit, with the intent to keep Mt. Fuji from erupting. They are all built within sight of Fuji-san, or failing that, feature a model of the mountain within their grounds. In 2013, a selection of Asama Shrines, including this one, were added to the UNESCO World Heritage Site listing for Mount Fuji. More information:
(English)
Some of the more famous Asama Shrines include the Fujisan Sengen Shrine (富士山本宮浅間大社,
Fujisan Hongū Sengen Taisha), to the southwest of the mountain in Fujinomiya, and the Fujiyoshida Sengen Shrine (北口本宮冨士浅間神社,
Kitaguchi Hongū Fuji Sengen Jinja), just south of our location in Kawaguchi-ko. The more famous ones were also used as starting points for climbing the mountain, although most people nowadays get a ride up to one of the 5th stations and climb from there. Like its bigger brother, the approach to Kawaguchi Asama Shrine is lined with tall cedar trees.
Approaching the main hall. This shrine may not be the biggest or most lavishly-decorated of the Asama Shrines, but there were few other visitors, letting us explore and appreciate the grounds in peace.
But whilst there weren't many people to disturb me, the mosquitoes and other bugs were another story...
A few sake barrels are lined up to one side of the main hall. Kawaguchi Asama Shrine holds two festivals throughout the year: the
Magomi Matsuri (孫見祭り) on 25 April, and
Daidai O-kagurasai (太々御神楽祭) on 28 July. On both occasions, a ritual dance called the
Chigo-no-Mai (稚児の舞) is performed, meant to placate Sakuya-hime and, hopefully, stave off eruptions and earthquakes.
The shrine grounds are dotted with many tall cedar trees, but seven of them, the
Hichi-hon Sugi (七本杉, lit. 'seven cedars'), were deified -- note the
shimenawa around them -- and designated as official monuments of the shrine.
Two of the cedars are tied together with a
shimenawa. Together, these trees are called a
futahashira (父母, lit. 'father and mother').
I have never seen a
shimenawa knotted like this before, but am nonetheless intrigued by this fashion. It seems to symbolise marriage, from what I've read.
This tree is not one of the seven cedars, but its bark was imbued with a swirling pattern which I also found fascinating.
No sign-off selfie this time, but Chris volunteered to pose for a picture, in front of the last of the seven cedars. And with that, he drove us up to one of his secret spots for one of the best views of Mt. Fuji, next time on Sekai Ichi!
Hours: Open 24 hours. No regular closing days.
Costs: Free.
Address: 1 Kawaguchi, Fujikawaguchiko-machi, Minamitsuru-gun, Yamanashi-ken 〒401-0304
Access: From platform 5 at Kawaguchiko Station, take a bus bound for Kofu Station (K) or Oishi Petit Pension (P), and get off at Kawaguchiko Post Office (#210 / 河口局前, 10 minutes, 1-2 per hour, ¥440), then walk for 4 minutes down the road. The shrine will be on your right side.
Website:
(English) (Japanese)
