Togakushi Shrine, Nagano, Japan
What first drew me to Togakushi in Nagano was the beautiful cedar-lined path leading to the upper shrine. Togakushi Shrine is made up of three parts — the lower, middle, and upper shrines. According to Japanese mythology, these shrines are linked to the story of the Sun Goddess who once hid in a cave in Takachiho, taking the sunlight away. When other deities finally lured her out, they threw away the stone door to stop her from hiding again. That door is said to have landed in Togakushi, whose name means “Hiding Door.”
I took a bus from Nagano Station using the Togakushi One Day Pass. The ride wound through mountain roads before reaching the upper shrine. I decided to hike downhill toward the lower shrine instead of starting from the bottom.
The two-kilometer cedar-lined path to the upper shrine was just as peaceful and stunning as I had imagined. Sunlight filtered through towering trees, and the trail stayed mostly flat until the final stone steps leading up to the shrine.
After a short visit, I hiked back down and followed a trail connecting the other shrines. Along the way, I passed a couple of lakes, including Lake Kagami, or “Mirror Lake,” where I saw a perfect reflection of the mountains.
At the middle shrine, I stopped to admire sacred cedar trees over 800 years old. Their size was incredible. Eventually, I reached the lower shrine, where an impressive torii gate stood at the entrance. There, I met an older couple who were surprised to see me hiking in shorts in winter. After chatting and sharing candy, they wished me a good trip in Japan.
That kind encounter was the highlight of an already amazing day. I’d love to do this hike again — walking among those ancient cedars was truly unforgettable.
Route Detail
Distance: 9.91km from Togakushi Okusha Bus Stop
Total elevation gain: 207m
Time: 2h 27m (total time with breaks 3h 12m)
Difficulty: Easy
Shrines: Togakushi Shrine Okusha 戸隠神社 奥社, Tenmeiinari Shrine 天命稲荷神社, Togakushi-Jinja 戸隠神社 中社, Togakushi Shrine Hinomikosha 戸隠神社 火之御子社, Togakushi Shrine Houkosha 戸隠神社 宝光社
Transportation & Miscellaneous
Togakushi One Day Pass ¥3000
Food ¥1980
Vending Machine ¥140
