Nangū Taisha

Nangū Taisha is a major shrine at the foot of Mount Nangu in Tarui, Gifu Prefecture. The grounds contain eighteen separate wooden structures from the Edo period, including several worship halls, gates, and storehouses protected as national cultural properties.

The original compound burned completely during the Battle of Sekigahara in 1600. Reconstruction began in 1642 by order of Shogun Tokugawa Iemitsu, and the current structures date from that rebuilding period.

The name refers to its position south of the imperial palace in Kyoto, historically marking it as a southern guardian shrine for the capital. Visitors today walk through a spacious compound with multiple red-lacquered buildings scattered among tall cedars and stone lanterns.

The easiest access is a short walk from Tarui Station, located about one kilometer (0.6 miles) to the northeast. The grounds are freely accessible during daylight hours and offer parking as well as a hiking path up to the mountain slope.

The buildings follow a fixed renewal cycle of fifty-one years, preserving traditional craftsmanship through regular restoration work. This practice allows centuries-old construction techniques to pass to new generations of carpenters.

Location: Tarui

Address: 1734-1 Miyashiro Mine, Tarui-chō, Fuwa-gun, Gifu-ken 503-2124

Website: https://nangu-san.com

GPS coordinates: 35.36097,136.52531

Latest update: December 5, 2025 22:26