Kamoshikimi

This atmospheric sanctuary is hidden among the cypress forests surrounding Takamori, covered in moss and stone lanterns, lining up the stone stairs to the sanctuary. 

The stone stairs lead to a hill in a pine forest directly from the main road which doesn’t seem like a special place, but as you go up the steps (about 300 of them) it becomes a marvelous path that leads to a beautiful shrine, the Kamishikimi Kumanoimasu shrine, It is considered a mystical place, calm, quiet and with a spiritual atmosphere that surrounds one of Japan’s most visited places. It is surrounded by beautiful nature accompanied by a magical tree, the Nagi Tree, a sacred tree that brings good luck for lasting relationships because Nagi leaves are difficult to pluck. 

Behind the main hall, another path leads to a large sacred stone called Ugetoiwa, which has a 10-meter hole through it. According to local legend, the hole was created when a demon escaped from the rock. It is said that if this hole could be created, any difficulty can be overcome and thus the rock has become a symbol for achieving difficult goals. Photo by photresbienne