Japan Attractions | Beautiful Cedar Tree Trail! Mysterious and magnificent.

Hidden in the misty mountains of Nagano Prefecture lies Japan’s mysterious “power shrine” – Togakushi Shrine. This place consists of five branches. You can walk through the 2-kilometer-long cedar tree-lined approach to the Oku-Shrine, which is dedicated to Amaterasu. Legend has it that ninjas from the Heian period practiced here, and you can still experience shuriken throwing and ninjutsu code deciphering. In spring, cherry blossoms shade the Torii Gate, in autumn, maples dye the sacred bridge red, and in winter, snow covers the bond stone. All four seasons create a secret atmosphere like that in Spirited Away. Avoid the crowds and touch the 400-year-old "Tears of the Sacred Tree"!
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🕘【Opening hours】
✅Aoshi/Baoguangshe: sunrise to sunset (about 8:00-16:30 in winter)
✅Central Society/Hinoko Society: Open all day (no lighting at night, it is recommended to arrive before 15:00)
✅Kuzuryusha: Reservations are required for special morning visits (open only from 5:00 to 7:00)
⚠️Note: Okusha-sando may be closed due to snow in winter, please check the official website for announcements before traveling
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💴【Ticket Price】
✅All shrines are free to visit ✅Oku-Sha "Sacred Tree Prayer": 500 yen (write a wish plaque and hang it on a thousand-year-old cedar)
✅Ninja Experience Hall: 1500 yen/30 minutes (including 5 shuriken)
🔺There is no price adjustment recently, but the morning visit to Jiuzuryusha requires an additional 300 yen tea fee
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⛺【Game items·In-depth gameplay】
❶ Crossing the Okushe Divine Domain (Must Play!) Route: Start from "Sui Shen Gate" → Walk for 30 minutes through the cedar tunnel → Touch the three sacred stones (wisdom/health/wealth) → Drink water from the Okushe hand-washing pool
Easter egg: Look for the naturally formed "tree spirit face" in the tree hole (the locals believe it is the incarnation of the gods)
❷ Baoguangshe Ninja Training Experience order: Wear ninja clothes and take photos → Decipher the secret code → Throw shuriken (a talisman will be given for hitting the target 3 times)
❸ Pray for a connection at the Zhongshe Temple Buy a double-leaf bell (500 yen) and tie it to the couple cedar. The wind blows the bell and the gods respond.
Limited amulet: Clear crystal "Yunmie Bida"
❹ Explore the secrets of the Hinomiyasha and walk through the "Tainai-kuguri" cave (only one person can pass through by bending over), symbolizing rebirth and purification
The mirror pond on the top of the mountain reflects Amaterasu on a sunny day. The best time to take photos is 9:00-10:00
❺ Legend of the Nine-Headed Dragon: Drink the holy water in the morning + eat hai bing (desire-repelling snack), and watch the morning sun penetrate the dragon-shaped cloud
A secret: Touching the "Dragon Claw" rock behind the Social Affairs Office three times can bring good luck
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🧡【Pre-trip preparation checklist】
✅Must bring: non-slip hiking shoes (there is moss on the stone steps of Okusha), 100 yen coin (for the wooden box), thermos cup (for holy water)
✅ Optional items: Flashlight (for traveling through the cave inside the womb), five-colored rope (for making seals when worshipping)
✅Clothing: Bring a thin jacket in summer (the temperature difference on the mountain is large), and crampons in winter
✅ Taboos: Do not step on tree roots, do not take photos of the main hall of the Aosha, do not point fingers at statues of gods
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When the 2-kilometer cedar tunnel unfolds before your eyes, spots of light shine through the gaps between the leaves onto the moss, as if every step is traveling through time and space. There are no crowds of people at Fushimi Inari here, only the sound of bells swaying in the wind and the secrets of the ninja's training for thousands of years. 🌲✨