Hakone Mototsumiya Shrine, Kanagawa

Komagatake is one of central cone of Mt. Hakone in Kanagawa Prefecture. There is “Hakone Mototsumiya Shrine” on the summit of that mountain.
The summit of Mt. Komagatake has been the site of the mountain worship since about 2400 years ago. It was the beginning to worship the power of gods of Mt. Kamiyama located in the north of Mt. Komagatake. After that, “Hakone shrine” was built on the shores of Lake Ashi as Satomiya shrine (shrine built in village area as a worship space) in the Nara period. Currently “Hakone Mototsumiya Shrine” is Okumiya (interior shrine) of “Hakone Shrine”.
You can go to “Hakone Mototsumiya Shrine” by “Komagatake Ropeway”. Departing “Hakone-en station” and reaching the “Komagatake Mountaintop Station” in about 7 minutes looking down Lake Ashinoko under the eyes.
A field spreads over the summit, and a promenade is in place. If it is sunny, there is strong sunshine, but the mountaintop is over 1,300 meters in altitude, and the wind can be felt cool even in summer. You can take a leisurely walk while feeling the flow of clouds. If the weather is nice, you can see the spectacular views of Lake Ashinoko, Sagami Bay and Mt. Fuji. However, the mountaintop is often in the clouds, and it is hard to see all the 360 degrees spectacular views.
The building on the summit is Haiden (a hall of worship). Since Mt. Kamiyama is the object of worship, there is no Honden (main shrine building). Behind Haiden there is the object of worship Mt. Kamiyama. Hakone Mototsumiya Shrine is Shrine buildings for worshiping Mt.Kamiyama. Although the current god of deity is “Hakone Okami”, it can be said that it still has the spirit of mountain worship.
Hakone Mototsumiya Shrine’s divine favour is fulfillment of desire and love fulfillment. Many worshipers visit in search of benefits.
In general, many trees are planted in the precincts of the shrine, becoming a forest, but here is no high trees because it is a high altitude of 1356 meters above sea level. For that reason it has become a unique space to feel the power of gods as it has a savage atmosphere a bit.

The Hakone shrine area is attracting attention as the sacred place

Although Hakone is gaining popularity as a casual travel destination, in particular, the Motohakone area with a high altitude is popular because it can enjoy climbing as well.
Since the ropeway and the sightseeing bus network are ready, those who do not have confidence in movement can also enjoy themselves. Among them, the Hakone shrine area is attracting attention as the sacred place. When worshipping at the Hakone shrine, you should drop in also at Hakone Mototsumiya Shrine.

The boundary between where God lives and the world where human beings live

The whole land of Hakone has been the object of faith since ancient times as the ground where God dwells.
Among them, Mt. Komagatake has been considered as “Amatsu Iwasaka” which is the boundary between the special place where God lives and the world where human beings live. The place for praying to God was founded at the summit of the mountain. This is the beginning of Hakone Mototsumiya Shrine.

Not so crowded as compared with the Hakone shrine

In the Nara period, the current Hakone-jinja Shrine near the Ashinoko lake was built near the village, so that we can visit without climbing mountains. The Hakone Sanshamairi (to visit three Shinto shrines) tour over the three of Hakone Mototsumiya Shrine, Hakone-jinja Shrine, Kuzuryu-jinja Shrine are very popular. However, the Hakone Mototsumiya Shrine at the top of Mt. Komagatake is not so crowded as compared with the Hakone shrine which became famous as a sightseeing spot.

You can see Mt. Fuji depending on weather conditions

There, a sacred atmosphere as a place of the earnest prayer to God is maintained.
From the precincts of the Hakone Mototsumiya Shrine, you can see Mt. Fuji depending on weather conditions.

“Bako Seki” (the stone horse landing on)

There is also the stone stretched by the Shime-nawa (a thick rope used as a ceremonial implement of shrines which is the boundary between the holy area and the everyday area) in the precincts.
This is the stone with the legend that “When God descended upon this stone while riding on the white horse.” It is the sacred place called “Bako Seki” (the stone horse landing on).

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