Kamikura Shrine

Annie Sobol in the last week

This ancient shrine is located halfway up Mt. Gongen, where the gods are said to have first descended to earth. It is at the top of a very steep cliff, called Amanoiwa-tate, on the Kumano Pilgrimage route, and is reached by climbing 538 very steep stone steps with no hand rails. At the top of these steps is a large, sacred rock called Gotobiki-iwa, which is revered as the dwelling place of one of the shrine's deities. The shrine has the best view of the entire Shingu area, as well as of the Kumano Sea, and is also the site of the Oto Matsuri Festival 🔥, which is held on February 6 every year. In the darkness, men holding lit torches run down the steep stone steps of Mt. Gongen! Free parking is available. No goshuin stamp is offered at this site. You can only get the goshuin stamp at the main shrine at Kumano Hayatama Taisha.

Charles Lee 2 months ago

Very challenging with the stairs. It may take some effort for those who are more unfit to go up. We happened to run into a kind elderly gentleman, who told us the boulders on top are like a frog looking to hop towards the sea. :-) Remember to hug the boulders for luck. There is a "power spot" somewhere behind the boulders.

Mihwa Lee 3 months ago

Quite a challenging climb, because the stone steps were not even. There was a easier way down labelled "for ladies, but beware of snakes". The temple at the top is very small, but offered a good view.

Prasanti Widyasih Sarli 8 months ago

The Kamikura Shrine is where a very big stone located. I don’t think the stone itself is particularly noteworthy (albeit it being very big), but the walk up is notoriously difficult and memorable. Half way to the shrine the walk is very steep to the point that it felt like rock climbing, and it’s very tiring. (The locals would say,”it’s tough to the point you feel like dying!”). Yet it’s this walk that I think made the trip memorable. As we went down also because of the steepness I had a sense of vertigo, and was scared, but after overcoming it I felt like I learned something. No wonder it’s part of the ancient Kumano Kodo Pilgrimage route. The other halft after the steep part is relatively easy, and pleasant. It’s also nice that once from the top we can see the sea and have a good view of Shingu, the city it’s in.

laybit 9 months ago

Steep steps of irregular rocks uphill. Went on a morning after rain. Not particularly challenging (especially after hiking the Kumano Kodo) but had to be really careful as the algae may cause the rocks to be slippery. The view on top of the hill was ok. Overall a good hike.