Ichinomiya Nukisaki Jinja

Ichinomiya Nukisaki Jinja is a distinguished shrine that has commanded deep reverence as the chief shrine of Kozuke Province, now Gunma Prefecture. With Amatsu Kunitama no Kami and Hime no Okami as its principal deities, this ancient shrine boasts a history spanning over 1,400 years. Particularly remarkable is its structure featuring what is called the "kudari sandō" or descending approach path. Uniquely reversed from typical shrine configurations, visitors pass through the torii gate and descend toward the worship hall. This distinctive arrangement is extraordinarily rare throughout Japan and represents a precious historical remnant conveying ancient forms of faith to the present day. The beautifully lacquered vermillion shrine buildings are also noteworthy.