During my travels in Japan, the area that I loved the most was the Fuji Highlands in Yamanashi Prefecture. Apart from being a tourist destination, there were plenty of ways to enjoy tranquility and solitude in lush green environments with a spiritual atmosphere. One good example was the Kawaguchi Asama Shrine, located close to Lake Kawaguchiko.
Like many other tourists, my aim was to get a good view of Mt Fuji from a spot accessible from this shrine, and I had therefore underestimated the beauty of the place itself.
Kawaguchi Asama Shrine and its giant cedars
The entrance to the shrine can be reached after a 20- minute walk from the nearest bus stop at the Kawaguchiko Music Forest Museum. This stop is part of the Red Sightseeing Bus route, one of the most popular tourist routes in the Kawaguchi area. Still, there were very few tourists at the shrine, and I wondered why- this place has everything to offer if you are looking for a calm and serene atmosphere.
Entrance to the Kawaguchi Asama Shrine
The giant Japanese cedar trees around the shrine were the highlight. A few of them are over 1,200 years old! Two trees growing side by side (futahashira) are believed to bring luck in matchmaking. As one of the many 'Asama' shrines dedicated to Mt. Fuji, the deity worshipped here represents the goddess of volcanoes and Mt. Fuji. This site is registered as a UNESCO World Heritage site as a part of "Fujisan, sacred place and source of artistic inspiration". An annual festival is celebrated here, which I missed during my visit. Nevertheless, I preferred the quiet creaking of the ancient cedars than any celebration at that moment.
After spending some time at the shrine, I began my ascent to Tenku-no Torii, which offers a beautiful view of Mt. Fuji. I had discovered this spot on Instagram, and a few minutes into the climb, I realized that many influencers had probably driven up the hill instead. However, this was the closest I had been to nature in the past few days, so I gave it my all. The weather was ideal after the rain, and my only concern was that clouds might block the view of Mt. Fuji from the top.
The start of the trail from the shrine
The path was slightly tiring and slippery, especially since I wasn't well prepared for a post-rain hike. Still the view of Mt. Fuji from the top was something I absolutely didn't want to miss—especially on a day with a clear sky! There were no cedar trees along the way, which disappointed me a little. I saw a few tourists here and there, and certainly some at the top, but far fewer than I had expected. The relative quiet made the climb more enjoyable.
Trail to the Tenku-no Torii
After about 30 to 45 minutes, I reached the Torii gates, which have been a place of worship since 2019. No wonder it's called Tenku-no Torii, meaning "Torii gate in the sky". From here, one can get a picturesque view of Mt. Fuji framed perfectly through the Torii gates. The aim behind this spot was to build a place of worship at a distance (yohai), reached through climbing (tohai) and spiritual training (shugen). I loved this aspect of the shrine—the notion that ultimate worship could be attained through effort and connection with nature.
Tenku-no Torii with Mt. Fuji in the background
Of course, once you reach the top, a picture of yourself with this perfect backdrop is mandatory! 😉 Although I was slightly annoyed that access to this "private land" required a fee, I was ultimately happy—it was well worth the visit. I was lucky to see Mt. Fuji in all its glory before the clouds swallowed the scene a little later. I even managed to capture a picture of the towering Torii with Mt. Fuji in the background—just like a Windows wallpaper 💗
After hiking back down the trail, I spent some time by the small garden near the shrine (not a Zen garden—I always cringe when influencers call it that!). I even considered staying longer, as this turned out to be the best part of my time in Yamanashi Prefecture.
While most tourists come here just for the view of Mt. Fuji, I felt something more. This place wasn't even on my bucket list, but it ended up becoming one of my most memorable experiences.
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