Tamaki Shrine, Shinto shrine in Totsukawa, Japan
Tamaki Shrine is a wooden structure perched on Mount Tamaki at an elevation of 1,076 meters, featuring traditional East Asian roof design with gentle curves. The building stands surrounded by ancient cedar trees that rise tall around the grounds, creating a secluded setting high in the mountains.
The shrine was founded around 37 BC and later became part of a pilgrimage network within the Kii Mountains that earned UNESCO World Heritage recognition in 2004. This designation honored its role in one of Japan's oldest sacred journey routes.
The shrine houses five Shinto deities whose presence shapes how people understand Japanese spiritual beliefs and their connection to nature. Visitors can sense how these divine figures remain central to local religious practices and seasonal ceremonies throughout the year.
Reaching the shrine requires a roughly 15-minute walk from the parking area along an earthen path that winds through the mountains. Visitors should wear sturdy footwear and allow extra time, as the elevation and terrain demand some physical effort.
Within the grounds stands an exceptionally old cedar tree recognized as a national natural monument, believed to be more than a thousand years old. This ancient tree leaves many visitors with a quiet sense of awe at the passage of time and the site's sacred connection to nature.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
