Nikko Futarasan jinja Shrine [Tochigi]

【Nikko Futarasan jinja Shrine summary】

Nikko Futarasan jinja Shrine was built in 767, the first year of the Jingo Keiun era. It has long been revered as a sacred site for Shugendo (mountain asceticism), and it is said that the origin of the shrine dates back to when Shodo Shonin built a shrine to the deity of Mt. This ancient shrine, which was the beginning of the Nikko Mountain worship, was originally located at the site of the present Bengu Hongu Shrine, and was called “Shingu” after it was relocated. This shrine is called Gohonsha, and there are three other shrines: Chugu Shrine by Lake Chuzenji in Oku-Nikko, and Okumiya atop Mt.

The grounds of Nikko Futarasan jinja Shrine, together with those of Toshogu Shrine and Rinnoji Temple, are designated as a national historic site as “Nikko Sannai” and are registered as a World Heritage site as “Shrines and Temples of Nikko.

Each of the three deities is assigned to one of the three mountains of Nikko.

Onamuchi no Mikoto = Mt. Nantai, Tagorihime no Mikoto = Mt. Megamine, and Ajisukitakahikone no Mikoto = Mt. Taroyama.

【Nikko Futarasan jinja Shrine main gate of a tower】

The path extends next to the five-story pagoda and the Toshogu shrine ticket office.

A large wooden tower gate erected in 1978. You can see it when you take the upper new road on the right side of the five-story pagoda of Toshogu Shrine. There is a sacred and solemn atmosphere with the Toshogu red wall and stone lanterns lined up on the right.

【Nikko Futarasan jinja Shrine bronze torii】

The torii gate that can be seen after passing through the gate. Since Futarasan (Mt. Nantai) and Onomineyama (Mt. Nantai) are located in a straight line, is this the correct way to go?

【Nikko Futarasan jinja Shrine hall of worship】

In contrast to the gorgeous Toshogu Shrine, I personally prefer the less ornate shrine set in the forest, which seems to be a nature-worshiping shrine. If you enter the paid section, you can worship as close to the main shrine as possible.

【Nikko Futarasan jinja Shrine toll area】

You can enter from the side of the hall of worship for a fee of 300 yen. I entered because it is rare for a shrine, aside from Nikko Toshogu Shrine, to have a paid section. Within the shrine grounds, there is a 700-year-old sacred tree, Futara Reisen (sacred spring), a bamboos for marriage, and a stone for safe childbirth.

Since the temple’s motto is “good luck for marriage,” I thought it might be for couples and families, with its ring-throwing toys and heart-throwing fortune-telling for romantic fulfillment. There are also other attractions such as Kaka-doro lanterns and Daikoku-den Hall.

【Nikko Futarasan jinja Shrine Bake-doro (lantern)】

The lanterns are called “haketoro” (meaning “strange lanterns” in Japanese) because they change mysteriously when lit and have numerous wounds caused by sword cuts.

It is said that in the past, a samurai guarding the temple at night mistook the lights of the lanterns for the flames of a ghost and slashed the lanterns in over 70 places……where?

【Nikko Futarasan jinja Shrine Daikoku-den】

In Daikoku-den, beckoning Daikoku-sama, who bestows good fortune, was enshrined. You can swing the Uchide-no-Kozuchi, a small mallet.

Also on display was a Zanbatou, a sword that is said to be a sacred sword from the Nanbokucho period. It is inscribed Taromaru and is said to be a sacred sword from the Nanboku-cho period.

【Nikko Futarasan jinja Shrine GOSHUIN】

【Nikko Futarasan jinja Shrine Nearby attractions】

Shinbashi Bridge, Nikko Toshogu Shrine, Rinnoji Temple, Taiyuin Temple, Takio Shrine

Shinkyo Bridge [Tochigi]

Nikko Toshogu Shrine [Tochigi]

Nikkozan Rinnoji Temple and Taiyuin [Tochigi]

Takino’o Shrine [Tochigi]

憾満ヶ淵・慈雲寺【栃木県】

【Nikko Futarasan jinja Shrine Access】

関連投稿(Related Posts):

Nikkozan Rinnoji Temple and Taiyuin [Tochigi] Shinkyo Bridge [Tochigi] Takino’o Shrine [Tochigi] Nikko Toshogu Shrine [Tochigi]