Arayayama Shrine Okumiya

The inner shrine of Arayayama Shrine sits at about 1,700 meters on the second station of Mount Fuji in Fujiyoshida City, Yamanashi. While the main hall is in the city of Fujiyoshida, the inner shrine lies on the mountainside surrounded by forest and is known as one of the three great fortune shrines of Japan, a leading power spot.

Arayayama Shrine is said to date from the late Muromachi period, around the Tenbun era in 1534, and enshrines Oyamazumi no Mikoto, the god of the mountain. Famed for blessings of fortune, prosperous business, and success in enterprise, it has gathered the faith of business owners and people who work in finance. In the inner precinct there is an arrangement of stones said to be best visited in a set order, and many worshipers come from across the country.

Highlights

• The inner shrine set in forest at about 1,700 meters on the second station of Fuji
• Oyamazumi no Mikoto as the main deity, alongside Amaterasu Omikami and Konohanasakuya Hime
• Fortune blessings as one of the three great fortune shrines of Japan
• Worshipers from across the country seeking prosperity and success
• Precinct stones said to be best toured in a set order

Enjoying the Seasons

Because the inner shrine sits at high altitude, early summer through autumn is the easiest time to visit. Even in summer the cool forest air wraps around you, and you feel the purity unique to the mountainside of Fuji. In autumn the surrounding trees take on color and the path is wrapped in hues. In winter the forest road closes due to snow and worship becomes difficult, so it is wise to check whether the road is open before you go.

Access and Basic Information

• Location: Second station of Mount Fuji at about 1,700 meters, Fujiyoshida City, Yamanashi
• Main hall: Araya, Fujiyoshida City, Yamanashi
• Access: By car via the Fuji Subaru Line, or by car up to the second station from the main hall. Public transport access is limited
• Parking: Use the spaces around the inner shrine
• Admission: Free
• Annual festival: October 17

Practical Travel Notes

• The best season runs from early summer through autumn. In the snowy winter months the forest road is often closed and you cannot reach the inner shrine, so always confirm the road status in advance
• The altitude is high and the air stays cool even in summer, so a light layer is handy even at the height of summer
• Allow about half a day when combining a visit to the inner shrine with the main hall
• By old custom it is proper to first worship at the main hall in the city before heading to the inner shrine
• Nearby stand Kitaguchi Hongu Fuji Sengen Shrine, famed as the start of the Yoshida trail up Fuji, and Oshino Hakkai with its clear spring-fed ponds, along with other noted spots at the northern foot of Fuji
• Admission is free. For charms or a goshuin seal, budget a few hundred to around a thousand yen

A Quick Tip

The inner shrine may close in winter, so take care with the timing of your visit. By old custom, it is proper to first worship at the main hall in the city before heading to the inner shrine. The Fuji Subaru Line and the mountain road are winding, so allow extra driving time and do not forget warm clothing.

📚 Sources

This article draws on the guidance of Arayayama Shrine, tourism information from Fujiyoshida City, its introduction as one of Japans three great wealth-luck shrines with explanations of Oyamazumi and the other deities, and information on the second-station forest road and its winter closure. In winter the forest road closes for snow, making a visit difficult. Since fees and times may change, please confirm the shrines official information before you visit.

Visitor Checklist

• Check season and access: The forest road often closes for snow in winter, blocking the inner shrine, so always check the opening status first.
• What to prepare: It is high and cool even in summer, so an extra layer is reassuring in midsummer.
• Estimated time: Allow about half a day including a visit to the main shrine in the city.
• Suggested route: By old custom, visit the city main shrine first, then head to the inner shrine.
• Nearby stops: Combine with Kitaguchi Hongu Fuji Sengen Shrine and Oshino Hakkai in the northern Fuji foothills.