Takaiwa-jinja, Shinto shrine in Japan
Takaiwa-jinja is a Shinto shrine built on a mountain filled with large rocks and caves in Noshiro, Japan. Tall trees surround the site and the ground is covered with stones and dirt, creating a natural, untouched appearance.
The mountain is connected to a famous monk named Jokaku Daishi, who performed spiritual practices here and built the shrine. Over generations, local people have honored the power of this place and its sacred stones.
The main rocks here are called the male and female halls and have been honored as spiritual guardians for centuries. Local people and visitors come to pray for happy marriages, safe childbirth, and family protection.
You can drive or take the train and then taxi to the mountain entrance, where a steep rocky trail takes about 40 to 60 minutes to reach the shrine. Sturdy hiking boots are essential for walking on the uneven, sharp rocks.
Nearby stands a ginkgo tree over 800 years old with a thick trunk and many branches. According to local belief, walking around this tree seven times without breathing is said to grant a wish.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
