Shinzan Shrine, Shinto shrine in Japan
Shinzan Shrine is a Shinto shrine located on Mount Shinzan in the Oga Peninsula, set among tall cedar trees in a quiet wooded setting. The main worship hall is reached by climbing about 70 stone steps from the entrance gate, and the grounds feature a Japanese nutmeg tree over 1000 years old that is protected as a natural monument.
The shrine was founded during the Heian period, which lasted from the late 700s to the late 1100s, giving it a history spanning over 800 years. Its buildings were restored in 2007 while preserving its original significance as a place of mountain worship.
The shrine is deeply connected to the Namahage tradition, a local legend about demon-like beings that visit homes during New Year celebrations. Visitors can still watch traditional performances during the February festival and see masks in the nearby museum that show how different villages interpret these figures.
The shrine is accessible from Hadachi Station by the Namahage Shuttle bus, a special transport service that brings visitors close to the site. Wheelchair accessibility is limited as there are no dedicated pathways for visitors with mobility needs.
According to local legend, Namahage beings once built nearly 1000 stone steps to a nearby shrine called Goshado in a single night, but were tricked by clever villagers who simulated a false dawn to make them leave. This story remains alive today and turns the steps into a symbol of how the legend shapes the local identity and landscape.
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