Futarasan Shrine - 二荒山神社

Futarasan Shrine (二荒山神社, Futarasan Jinja) stands next to Toshogu in central Nikko. Much older than its more lavish neighbor, Futarasan Shrine was founded in 782 by Shodo Shonin, the Buddhist monk who introduced Buddhism to Nikko and who also founded nearby Rinnoji Temple. Futarasan Shrine is dedicated to the deities of Nikko's three most sacred mountains: Mount Nantai, Mount Nyoho and Mount Taro. Futarasan is an alternate name of Mount Nantai, the most prominent of the three mountains.

 

The shrine grounds are mostly free to enter except for a small paid area to the left of the offering hall (haiden). The paid area features a small forested garden with a couple more halls, a spring, old sacred trees and closer views onto the main hall (honden) that stands behind the offering hall. Located one kilometer from the shrine grounds, the Shinkyo Bridge also belongs to Futarasan Shrine.

 

This shrine is also famous for answering to prayers of those who seek good luck, pregnancy, smooth delivery of babies, and marriage tie.

 

Two more Futarasan Shrines are located higher up in the mountains in nearby Okunikko: one stands at the summit of Mount Nantai and the other at the northern shore of Lake Chuzenji at the mountain's base. The trail up Mount Nantai starts on the grounds of the latter.


Hours: 8:00 to 17:00 (until 16:00 from November through March)

Closed: No closing days

Fees: 200 yen (small paid area)



Front Shrine(Haiden) - 拝殿

Haiden is single layered curvature and Irimoya style roof. The Irimoya style is that two styles of roof are combined. Upper part of the roof seems to be a triangle because it is made from two slopes, which are put on both sides of a ridge. You will find gables there. Also, the lower part of the roof has eaves on all sides, and this construction is called Kiritsuma style.


Ghost Lantern - 化灯籠

Paid area

The Copper Lantern is called Ghost Lantern because fire moves in a strange way. There are many scars on the lantern because of sword attacks by guards. It was not strange that guards were scared of the fire in the dark. It is designated as an important cultural property.


Spiritual Fountain - 霊泉

Paid area

The water comes from cave of Mt. Korei, which is located on the back of Honden main hall. People believe that spring has two effects; the water might have a spiritual effect on eye disease, and it makes a tasty sake.

Futarasan Shrine - Map


The information on this page is updated in April 2016.
The possibility want that information has been changed, please check the official website of each facility.