Kanasana Jinja

Standing in Kamikawa Town in the north of Saitama, Kanasana Jinja is a venerable old shrine of high standing in Musashi Province that today calls itself the second shrine. Because it worships Mount Mimuro, also called Mimurogatake, behind it as the very body of the deity, it has no main hall, preserving to this day a form of worship that has continued since ancient times. Among former imperial shrines, only a very few keep this custom of having no main hall, such as Suwa Taisha in Nagano and Omiwa Jinja in Nara. Its main deities are Amaterasu Omikami and Susanoo no Mikoto, and Yamato Takeru no Mikoto is also enshrined.

Surrounded by rich nature, the grounds are filled with a quiet and solemn air, and the shrine is cherished by locals for wide ranging blessings of victory, good fortune, and health, a little known power spot in the north of the prefecture.

Highlights

• The distinctive style of worshiping Mount Mimuro without a main hall is a rare chance to feel the nature worship of ancient Japan firsthand
• The multi storied pagoda standing beside the approach is said to date from the late Muromachi period and is a nationally designated important cultural property
• The Mirror Rock partway up Mount Mitake, with a rock face as smooth as a mirror formed by fault activity, is a nationally designated special natural monument
• Climbing the mountain path toward the mirror rock opens up a view over the village of Kamikawa

Enjoying the Seasons

Spring colors the slopes with fresh green and azaleas, while summer brings cool air from the deep forest. Autumn dyes the grounds in red foliage, and winter offers a serene moment in clear air. The stroll to the mirror rock can be enjoyed as a light mountain walk to feel the nature of each season.

Access and Basic Information

• Location: 751 Ninomiya, Kamikawa Town, Kodama District, Saitama
• By bus from Tansho Station on the JR Hachiko Line or Honjo Station on the JR Takasaki Line, getting off at the Shinjuku stop and walking about 20 minutes east along National Route 462
• About 30 minutes by car from the Honjo Kodama interchange on the Kanetsu Expressway
• Parking is available

Practical Travel Notes

• Recommended route: the usual course is to first visit the grounds and the pagoda, then the mirror rock, and, depending on your stamina, climb on to the lookout on Mount Mitake. Beyond the mirror rock the path becomes a proper mountain trail, so bring comfortable shoes and water
• Recommended season: the azaleas of the fresh green season and the autumn foliage are beautiful, and if you plan a mountain walk, the mild climate of spring and autumn is most comfortable
• Time needed: a visit to the grounds and pagoda alone takes about thirty minutes, while a round trip to the mirror rock takes around an hour
• Avoiding crowds: it is usually fairly quiet, and weekdays allow a relaxed visit. The mountain path can be slippery after rain, so check the weather before you go
• Nearby spots: the Kamikawa and Honjo area in the north of the prefecture is dotted with nature and historic sites, and many combine a visit with a drive
• Budget: worship is free, and even with a goshuin and amulet a visit fits within the low thousands of yen

A Quick Tip

The path to the mirror rock and Mount Mitake is a mountain trail, so comfortable shoes are recommended. Knowing the manner of worship at a shrine without a main hall beforehand lets you savor the ancient faith more deeply. As public transport runs infrequently, arriving by car or checking timetables in advance is reassuring.

📚 Sources

This article draws on tourism guidance for the town of Kamikawa and the northern Saitama area about Kanasana Jinja, its style of worship treating Mount Omuro as the sacred body of the deity, and the tahoto pagoda and Kagami-iwa rock, together with notices on the grounds and published materials on the nationally designated important cultural property and special natural monument. The history of this old shrine without a main hall is also introduced in regional materials. Because fees and hours may change, please confirm the latest details through official sources before visiting.

Visitor Checklist

• Estimated time: About 30 minutes for the grounds and the pagoda alone, or roughly an hour including a round trip to Kagami-iwa
• Clothing and items: Beyond Kagami-iwa the trail becomes a proper mountain path, so bring comfortable shoes and water
• Access: By bus from Tansho Station on the JR Hachiko Line or Honjo Station on the JR Takasaki Line, or about 30 minutes by car from the Honjo-Kodama IC on the Kan-etsu Expressway
• Parking: Visitor parking is available
• Avoiding crowds: It is usually fairly quiet and relaxed on weekdays, and the trail is slippery after rain, so check the weather
• Budget: The visit is free, and even with a goshuin seal and amulets the cost stays in the low thousands of yen