Kasoyama Jinja (Kanuma)

Kasoyama Jinja, at the foot of Mount Ozaku in Kanuma City, is a venerable old shrine whose name appears even in the Heian-period chronicle the Nihon Sandai Jitsuroku. Its deities are Ame no Minakanushi, Takemikazuchi, and Tsukuyomi. It has long drawn faith as a guardian of bountiful harvests, the growth of industry, and long life through medicine, and in the Edo period it is said to have counted many believers across the Kanto region. An inner shrine is enshrined on the summit of rugged Mount Ozaku, about 879 meters high.

Highlights

• The stump of a great cedar known as the divine-age cedar, which stood as a living tree until 1910 and was then judged to be 1,800 years old and among the oldest in the land
• A worship hall from which the inner shrine on the summit of Mount Ozaku can be venerated from the foot
• A locally rooted faith for bountiful harvests and long life through medicine

Enjoying the Seasons

The quiet precinct in the hills is beautiful in both the fresh green season and the autumn foliage, calming the hearts of those who visit. Standing before the enormous divine-age cedar stump in the clear air, one can sense the vast flow of time.

Access and Basic Information

• Location: Iriawano, Kanuma City, Tochigi Prefecture
• From JR Kanuma Station, take the Kanto bus toward Kuchiawano via Shin-Kanuma Station and get off at Awano Shisho Iriguchi, then transfer to a Rebus toward Iriawano and get off at Ozakuyama Jinja; allow ample time for the transfer and waiting
• By car, follow the roads through the hills from central Kanuma
• As the inner shrine is on the summit, worship is also possible from the worship hall at the foot

Practical Travel Notes

• The best seasons are the fresh green of May and June and the autumn foliage around November, when you can face the giant cedar stump in the quiet mountain air
• Buses are few and require a transfer, so if using public transport be sure to check both legs of the timetable; a car makes the route far easier to plan
• Allow 30 minutes to an hour for a visit to the worship hall. Mount Ozaku, where the inner shrine stands, has a climbing route with chain sections and calls for proper mountain gear and stamina
• The site lies deep in the mountains and darkness falls early, so aim to arrive by late morning and prepare for sudden changes in weather
• Costs center on a few hundred to around a thousand yen for charms and goshuin

A Quick Tip

The stump of the divine-age cedar, said to be among the oldest in the land, is a highlight found only at this shrine. As the site lies deep in the mountains, mind the weather and the hour of sunset and allow plenty of time for your trip. Reaching the summit with the inner shrine is a genuine mountain climb, so come properly equipped.

📚 Sources

This article is based on guidance published by Kasoyama Shrine, tourism information from Kanuma City, and public materials such as the historical record Nihon Sandai Jitsuroku. Notes on the stump of the ancient sacred cedar, the remote-worship hall for the inner shrine, and the faith for harvest and long life refer to shrine guidance and on-site explanations. Bus times and the condition of the mountain trail to the inner shrine may change, so please confirm with the shrine or transport operator official information before your visit.

Visitor Checklist

• Estimated time: About 30 minutes to an hour for worship at the remote-worship hall; the inner shrine on Mount Ozaku is a full climb.
• Access: Buses are infrequent with transfers, so by public transport always check the round-trip times.
• What to bring: Deep in the mountains with early sunset, so aim to arrive by midday and prepare for sudden weather changes.
• Climbing note: Mount Ozaku has a trail with chain sections, requiring proper climbing gear and stamina.
• Budget: Amulets and goshuin seals mostly cost from a few hundred to about a thousand yen.