Haruna Jinja

An ancient shrine situated on the mid-slope of Mount Haruna, with over a thousand years of history as a sacred site of mountain worship. According to tradition, it was founded during the reign of Emperor Yomei, the 31st emperor, and flourished as a spiritual center of Shugendo practice. The approach to the main hall is surrounded by massive and uniquely-shaped rocks, as if walking through a temple of divine sculptural beauty. The sacred tree known as "Yatatsu Sugi" in particular exceeds a thousand years in age, and it is said that warlords such as Takeda Shingen and Uesugi Kenshin prayed here for victory in battle. The main hall, built as if wedged between rocky outcrops, is the embodiment of mystery itself.