Located in Shizuoka Prefecture, Sengen Shrine is the perfect place to stop on your way to Mt. Fuji. Sengen Shrine is the general name assigned to a collective of shrines individually known as Sengen Jinja, Ohtoshimioya Jinja and Kambe Jinja. The shrine contains 26 individual structures making it one of the largest in all of Japan.

Konohanasakuya-hime, the Shinto diety of Mt. Fuji, is the primary kami (god) of the Sengen portion of the shrine.  Though the shrine has a rich history, it was burned down in 1804 and built up again over the following 60 years.  Sengen Shrine is located a short along a lantern-lined pathway through the woods. Though a less popular tradition today, hikers climbing Mt. Fuji would often begin their ascent with a stop at the shrine. 

To visit Sengen Shrine, you can take a 15 minute bus ride from Kawaguchiko or 5 minute bus ride from Fujisan Station towards Lake Yamanakako and Gotemba.  Get off at the Kitaguchi Hongu Fujisengen Jinja-mae bus stop and walk through the wooded path to the shrine.  Another option is walking 30 minutes from Fujiyoshida Station.

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Written by Carly Susman (www.carly-rose.com)
All photos property of Carly Susman
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