To the Summit With a Shrine

The path from Tatamidaira passes the Kata-no-Koya hut and enters the switchbacks up to Kodamadake. From Kodamadake to Kengamine takes another thirty minutes or so, over rocky ground. On the summit, at 3,026 meters, stands a shrine: Norikura Hongu. The main summit shrine enshrines four deities, Amaterasu Omikami, Oyamatsumi no Okami, Isotakeru no Okami, and Okami no Okami, together called Norikura Okami. On the Nagano side stands the shrine of Asahi Gongen, and in a small rock cave just below it, Enku is said to have shut himself in to pray. The shrine's name has changed with the age. Once Kuragamine Shrine, it became Norikura Shrine in 1928, and Norikura Hongu in 1949. The name changed. The summit as a place of prayer did not. From the top, Gongen Pond lies in the crater, and far off Yarigatake and the Hotaka range rise; on a clear day, Ontake, at 3,067 meters, floats there too. The line of people stepping up the rocky path to the shrine has run on across every change of name. The switchbacks still lead on to the shrine. History of Norikura Hongu - 1181 (first year of Yowa): a retainer of Kiso Yoshinaka climbed to scout the province of Hida, built a shrine on the summit, and enshrined a golden statue of a god. This is said to be the beginning of Norikura Hongu. - The shrine's name changed from Kuragamine Shrine to Norikura Shrine in 1928, and to Norikura Hongu in 1949. - On the summit stand the main summit shrine and the shrine of Asahi Gongen. The four enshrined deities are together called Norikura Okami. The route - From Tatamidaira, past Kata-no-Koya hut and up the switchbacks to Kodamadake. From Kodamadake to Kengamine, about 30 more minutes over rocky ground. Views from the summit - Gongen Pond in the crater, Yarigatake and the Hotaka range. On a clear day, Ontake at 3,067 m is also visible. Keep listening - How the mountain was made: Two Volcanoes, One Mountain For climbing safety, please check the latest official information.