After visiting Naiku and Geku, let's go to Betsugu! Head to Takiharanomiya surrounded by beautiful nature.

Get off the Kisei Expressway at Omiya Odai IC and drive along National Route 42 towards Owase for about 10 minutes. Along the road, I saw a large signboard that read `` Takiharanomiya''.

When you try to park your car in the large private parking lot, you will see a large torii gate right in front of you! It is said that Takiharanomiya is 600m away, so I would like to walk there.

Arrived at the torii gate of "Takiharanomiya".
Along with its majesty, the scenery created by the surrounding nature and the approach path that goes all the way to the back was so beautiful that I couldn't help but stop and admire it. Bow once and pass through the torii gate.

The approach is lined with large cedar trees. The air is clear and walking along this path gives you a sense of peace.

As I walked along the approach, I found a sign that read ``Mitarashi''.
There are stairs leading to the bottom, so let's go there.

As soon as we arrived at the end, there was a river with clear water flowing through it!
In Naiku, the bank of the Isuzu River is the ``Mitawashiba'', so it is the same. Now cleanse your hands and mouth.

The Tondo River flows alongside the approach to the shrine.
It is a tributary of ouchiyama that flows upstream of the Miyagawa River. The view of the river that extends deep into the forest is so spectacular that it feels like a hidden gem.

``Shukueiya'' is located near ``Mitaraiba.''
This is a place where you can receive amulets, amulets, goshuin stamps, etc., and pamphlets introducing the origins and history of Takiharanomiya are distributed.

The approach path is about 600 meters long and is surrounded by trees that are hundreds of years old. Each tree has its own personality, and it seems like it's saying something to you.

Once you get to a place where you can get a clear view, you're almost at the shrine building.
I can't help but walk quickly, thinking, ``I want to see the whole Takiharanomiya!''

There are two `` Betsugu'' and two ``jurisdictional shrines'' built side by side, and you visit them in a set order.
The order of worship is indicated on the signboard.

`` Takiharanomiya'' (back of photo) and ``Takihara no Narabinomiya'' (front of photo) are built side by side.
The deities enshrined in both cases are Amaterasu Zano Omikami no Mitama. It is said that enshrining them side by side at Ninomiya is an old form of enshrining Amaterasu-Omikami at Kotaijingu (Naiku).

As per the order, we visited from "Takiharanomiya".
The sunlight shines through the trees, making it even more divine.

Two bows, two claps, one bow to express my gratitude.

Next is “Takihara Masamiya”. Both Takiharanomiya are built in Shinmei-zukuri style, which is similar to Kodai-Kotaijingu.

*Shinmei-zukuri: Inheriting the ancient Japanese architectural style, it uses cypress wood and has developed from a granary style with gables and hirairi on raised floors to a palace style. What I did.

A huge cedar tree towers between Takiharanomiya and Takihara Shimiya Shrine. You will be overwhelmed by its power.

Next, head to Wakamiya Shrine, which is located at the top of the stone steps on the east side of Takiharanomiya.
This is the company in charge of Takiharanomiya. The enshrined deity is not certain, but there is a legend that it is the god of water.

*"Jurisdictional shrine": A shrine where gods directly related to the main shrine or Betsugu are enshrined.

The last stop is Nagayuke Shrine. This is also a shrine under the jurisdiction of Takiharanomiya, and Kawashima Shrine, which is also under its jurisdiction, is also located there.
I felt refreshed by visiting the shrines as per the order!

Mifunagura is located on the west side of Takihara Susumu Shrine.
It is said to be a storehouse for storing ``Mifunashiro,'' but there is also a theory that it symbolizes water transportation on the Miyagawa River since ancient times. Currently, this building is not found in other shrines and shrines, including the main shrine, but only in Takiharanomiya.

*"Mifunedai": A vessel to hold a sacred object.

There is a signboard at the entrance to the shrine grounds that explains the origins of Takiharanomiya with illustrations. It's a great idea because it allows children and the younger generation to learn about its history in an easy-to-understand way.

Takiharanomiya has an attractive location surrounded by magnificent nature, as well as its main shrine and approach. There are eight remaining Betsugu of Kotaijingu (Naiku) and four Betsugu of Toyouke-daijingu (Geku). I learned about the unique charm of Betsugu, which is different from the main shrine, and I wanted to visit the rest of the places as well.

*The content of the article is as of December 20, 2019. Please contact us for the latest information before heading out.