穂高神社奥宮
Matsumoto City
Hotaka Shrine is located in Azumino City, Nagano Prefecture, with its main shrine in the village, the Oku-no-miya shrine in Kamikochi, and the Mine-no-miya shrine at the summit of Mt. Okuhotaka.
The main shrine is particularly popular for traffic safety prayers, attracting many visitors.
The Oku-no-miya shrine can be reached by walking from Kamikochi.
It is about a 30-minute walk from Kappa Bridge.
The shrine building is located by Myojin Pond.
From the walking path, pass through the wooden Myojin Torii gate and continue along the path through the trees.
About 100 meters from the torii.
There is a small rest area for tourists, a small gate, and a small one-bay shrine building.
It also serves as a memorial for climbers who have perished in the Alps, with a monument standing in the otherwise quiet area near the bustling Myojin Pond.
In October, the shrine holds a boat ritual on Myojin Pond behind the shrine building.
I have not yet seen this ritual, but the clear, sparkling water and the beautiful autumn leaves in October would be a sight to behold.
