Japan’s oldest shrine – Tamaki Shrine – which can only be reached by being called by the gods

Tamaki Shrine, located in the village of Totsukawa, almost at the summit of Mount Tamaki, is the oldest shrine in Japan.

The shrine, which is 1,076 metres above sea level, was founded in 37 B.C.

In 2004, this shrine, one of the training grounds of Shugendo, was inscribed on the World Heritage List as part of the ‘Sacred Sites and Pilgrimage Routes in the Kii Mountain Range’.

It is said that Tamaki Shrine can only be reached by being called by the gods.

The reason may be that the road to Tamaki Shrine is mountainous and narrow, and in winter it is sometimes closed due to snowfall, making it inaccessible.
It is said that if you are not called by the gods of Tamaki Shrine, even if you have made plans to go, you may not be able to go due to urgent business, injury or other reasons.

Even if you manage to arrive after such difficulties, it is still a 20-minute walk alo

ng a mountain path from the parking lot to the main shrine.

Around the main shrine there are large old cedar trees, among which a cedar tree said to be 3,000 years old is enshrined, creating a solemn atmosphere.