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[Niigata ]6 recommended tours of shrines and temples for healing and power

[Niigata ]6 recommended tours of shrines and temples for healing and power
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Popular Tourist Spots Temples and Shrines History Autumn Colours

2023-11-21 Management office

In recent years, shrines and temples have become popular as power spots and are visited by many people. In fact, Niigata Prefecture has 4755 shrines, making it the prefecture with the most shrines in Japan (Hyogo Prefecture in second place has 3,836). (Hyogo Prefecture, in second place, has 3,836 shrines.)
During the Meiji Era, the government launched a program to reduce the number of shrines, which had increased too much, but Niigata Prefecture was reluctant to do so. Also, Niigata Prefecture was surprisingly the most populated prefecture in Japan at the time, and many people needed a spiritual center.
This article introduces some of the most popular spots among the many shrines and temples in Niigata Prefecture.
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Management office

Table of Contents

  1. 1.
    Kinpu Shrine
  3. 2.
    Yahiko Shrine
  5. 3.
    Hakusan Shrine
  7. 4.
    Xifu Temple
  9. 5.
    Yun-dong Temple
  11. 6.
    Kasugayama Shrine
  13. 7.
    summary

Kinpu Shrine



Kinpu Shrine, founded in the Nara period (710-794), is the oldest shrine in Niigata.
It is also a popular power spot and is known for its blessings for childbirth and prosperity of various businesses.

The shrine is located in a forest of large zelkova trees in the northwest of Nagaoka City, and was once the general guardian of the Chuetsu region.
Kanayamahiko-no-mikoto is enshrined and people call him "Zao-sama ( "). It is said to bring good luck in marriage and money.



Surrounded by forests, the quiet atmosphere is soothing in the four seasons. The cherry blossom trees and the autumn leaves are also magnificent.



Events are also a highlight of the festival, including "Yabusame (horseback archery) "rituals in the summer and "dedication of children's dances "performed by girls. Yabusame is a martial art of shooting arrows at targets while riding on a running horse, and the ritual is said to have started as a prayer for victory in war. It is a valuable ritual that is performed in few places nowadays.

There is also "the wedding ceremony of the gods ", which is famous for its matchmaking virtues, and "the Ojin Festival ", an ancient ceremony in November that has been designated an intangible cultural asset by the prefecture.

"Facility Information "
Facility name: Kinpu Shrine
Address: 2-6-19 Nishizao, Nagaoka-shi, Niigata 940-0027
Phone number: 0258-32-2337
Access: "Train "JR "Nagaoka "From the station, take the Echigo Kotsu Bus "to Yugoso/Health Center ", 15 min. bus stop "Kita-Nagaoka garage "5 min. walk from the bus stop "Car "15 km from Nagaoka IC on Kanetsu Expressway 15 min.
Hours: Open all year round (reception hours at the shrine office are 9:00~17:00)
Closed: No holidays
Material: free within the country
URL:http://www.kinpu.jp/

Yahiko Shrine



Yahiko (Iyahiko) Shrine has long been worshipped as Echigo's first shrine. "Known affectionately as Oyahiko-sama ", the shrine is visited by more than 200,000 worshippers every year on Hatsumode.

This is one of the most popular power spots in Niigata Prefecture. It is blessed with prosperity in business, a good harvest, and protection from bad luck.

The tranquility of the beautiful natural surroundings will soothe your soul. Its splendid forest of Shinto shrine is well known as a spot for viewing the autumn foliage. The shrine is located at the entrance to Mt. Yahiko, and visitors can take a ropeway to the top of the mountain. We recommend that you also visit the Yahiko Shrine Goshinmyo, the inner shrine there.

If you want to visit this popular spot in a more solemn atmosphere, we recommend that you visit the temple in the early morning hours to avoid crowds.

"Facility Information "
Facility Name: Yahiko Shrine
Address: 2887-2 Yahiko, Yahiko-mura, Nishikanbara-gun, Niigata 959-0323
Phone number: 0256-94-2001
Access: "Train "JR "Yahiko "10 min. walk from the station "Car "13 km 30 min. from Sanjo-Tsubame IC of Hokuriku Expressway via National Road 289 and Prefectural Road 29
Hours of operation: All year round
Closed: No holidays
Fees: Admission to the Treasure House: Adults: 300 (200) yen High school students: 200 (100) yen Elementary and junior high school students: 100 (50) yen *Prices in parentheses are for groups of 30 people or more.
URL:https://www.yahiko-jinjya.or.jp/

Hakusan Shrine



Hakusan Shrine is famous for its blessings for marriage. The shrine is dedicated to the goddess Kukurihime-no-Mikoto, who is also known as the goddess of love, and is known to bring a wide range of other blessings such as work, money, and academic success. She is especially popular among women, and many people from all over Japan visit the shrine to pray for the safe delivery of children. Many people visit the shrine every year for Hatsumode (New Year's visit), and the "Spring Festival "and "Summer Festival "to pray for a good harvest are also popular.



Within the grounds of the shrine, there is also a shrine called "Jamatsu Shrine ". Jamatsu Myojin, a messenger of the Hakusan Shrine God, takes the form of a snake and bestows blessings such as prosperous business, success in life, and prolonged longevity.



Hakusan, a sacred mountain in Niigata Prefecture, is one of "Japan's three most sacred mountains "along with Mt.
To commemorate the 1,300th anniversary of its opening, a sacred stone "Hakusan Kukuriishi "was cut out and enshrined in the temple grounds. It is believed that if you touch the stone directly, you will receive the power of Hakusan-sama and be blessed with various good fortunes.

"Facility Information "
Facility Name: Yama Shrine
Address: 1-1 Ichibanbori Dori-machi, Chuo-ku, Niigata-shi, Niigata 951-8132
Phone number: 025-228-2963
Access: "Train "JR "Hakusan "Station, 15 min. walk "Car "10 min. drive from Niigata Bypass Meike IC
Hours: Prayers are offered from 9:00~16:40 (*Last admission at 16:30)
Closed: No holidays
Material: free within the country
URL:https://www.niigatahakusanjinja.or.jp/

Xifu Temple



Saifukuji Temple is famous for its collection of works by Ishikawa Uncho, a master craftsman active in the late Edo period (1603-1868). 1534, the temple was founded by the monk Hoshitsu Soshun in the Muromachi period (1336-1534), and is a famous temple in Echigo.

Sculptures, paintings, and plasterwork by Ishikawa Uncho, known as the Michelangelo of Japan, can be seen in Kaisando-Do, located next to the main hall.
They are designated as cultural assets of Niigata Prefecture, and their overwhelming splendor is well worth seeing.
It is called Seifukuji "Echigo Nikko Kansando "because it is considered to be as good as Nikko Toshogu.



Kaizando was built to honor Soshun and Dogen, the founder of the Soto sect of Zen Buddhism. Uncho created this space where men and women of all ages could gather to experience the teachings of Zen master Dogen. He is said to have been honored for his accomplishments by the Emperor during the Edo period (1603-1867).



Many of Uncho's works are based on Zen Master Dogen, and the most famous is the large sculpture "of Zen Master Dogen Chofu (The Tiger) ", which is widely decorated on the ceiling of the hall. The delicacy of the openwork, the vividness of the colors, and the dynamism of the work are impressive to the viewer.

"Facility Information "
Facility Name: Seifukuji Temple
Address: 174 Oura, Uonuma, Niigata 946-0033
Phone number: 025-792-3032
Access: "Train "JR "Urasa "From the station, take Minami-Etsu Kanko Bus "Koide Station "10 min. on the way to the bus stop "Mushinokamiguchi "Get off, 10 min. walk "Car "10 min. from Koide IC on Kanetsu Expressway via National Route 17
Business hours: 9:00~16:00 (*Last admission at 15:40)
Closed: No holidays (*Temporary closures are possible)
Admission: ¥500 for adults, ¥300 for junior high school students and disabled persons (with certificate), free for elementary school students and younger
URL:https://www.saifukuji-k.com/

Yun-dong Temple



Undo-an is a Soto Zen temple with a 1200-year history. It is also famous as the place where Uesugi Keikatsu and Naoe Kanetsugu studied during their childhood.

In the old days, the "red gate "that you pass through to get to the main hall was only opened once a year to people other than imperial family members and feudal lords.



It is said that each stone on the approach from its red gate to the main hall is marked with a single character from the Lotus Sutra, and that visiting the temple through this path will bring blessings. Since long ago, "Have you stepped on the Undo-an soil? "This is such a popular power spot that there is a motto, "Have you stepped on the soil of Undo-an?

The main hall was built in the Muromachi period (1336-1573) and later rebuilt in the Edo period (1603-1868).
The main hall of the temple is a magnificent structure and is listed as a cultural asset by Niigata Prefecture.



Inside the main hall there is a spring water called "Water of Long Life ". This water can actually be drunk and is beneficial for good health and longevity. It is said that this spring water from Mt. Kinjo, whose main deity is Yakushi Nyorai, has healed many people suffering from illness.

"Facility Information "
Facility Name: Undo-an
Address: 660 Undo, Minamiuonuma, Niigata 949-6542
Phone number: 025-782-0520
Access: "Train "JR "Shiozawa Station "or "Muikamachi "10 min. drive from station "Car "6 km 15 min. from Shiozawa Ishiuchi IC on Kanetsu Expressway via Prefectural Road 28
Business hours: 9:00~17:00 (10:00~15:30 in winter, reception until 30 minutes before closing)
Closed: No holidays
Fee: 300 yen to visit the main hall / 100 yen for elementary school students
URL:http://www.untouan.com/

Kasugayama Shrine



Kasugayama Shrine is dedicated to Kenshin Uesugi. There is also a memorial hall where Kenshin's belongings and documents are exhibited.

It is a relatively new shrine, built in the Meiji era (1868-1912). In 1901, the spirit of Uesugi Shrine in Yonezawa City, Yamagata Prefecture, was divided and enshrined at the shrine.



It was founded by Sumiharu Ogawa, father of the children's story writer Mimei Ogawa, known as the Andersen of Japan. In the precincts of the temple, there are stone monuments inscribed with poems by Ogawa Mimei and stone statues with motifs of fairy tales. It would be more enjoyable to visit the temple after learning about Ogawa Mimei.

It was built on the ruins of Kasugayama Castle, where successive generations of Uesugi family warlords resided. It is located in the middle of Kasuga Mountain, which is 180 meters above sea level. It is said that the castle was originally the residence of Kenshin Uesugi's mother, Toramozen.



Kenshin Uesugi was a famous warlord of the Warring States period and won many battles. In addition to Kenshin, Sugawara Michizane, the god of learning, and Daikokuten, the god of prosperous business, are also enshrined at Kasuga-yama Shrine. The shrine is popular for its many blessings, such as luck in victory, academic achievement, and prosperous business.

"Facility Information "
Facility name: Kasuga-yama Shrine
Address: 1743 Soybean, Joetsu City, Niigata 943-0802
Phone number: 025-525-4614
Access: "Train "Echigo Tokimeki Railway "Naoetsu "From the station, take the Kubiki Jido Bus "to Takata Central Hospital via Kasuga Yamashita ", 17 min. bus stop "Kasuga Yamashita "20 min. walk from the bus stop "Car "15 min. from Joetsu Takata IC on Joshinetsu Expressway
Hours: 9:30-16:30 for Kasugayama Shrine Memorial Hall
Admission: Admission to the memorial hall is 200 yen for adults, 100 yen for elementary and junior high school students (2 discounts for groups of 20 or more)
Closed: No vacations (*Kasugayama Shrine Memorial Hall is closed from December to March)

summary

We have introduced six recommended tours of shrines and temples in Niigata Prefecture.
We hope you will have a relaxing and wonderful time at the power spots along with the rich nature of Niigata Prefecture. We hope you will enjoy visiting shrines and temples on your trip to Niigata Prefecture.

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