Step into a living chronicle of Japanese history at Yoshimizu Shrine (吉水神社), a UNESCO World Heritage site perched on the scenic slopes of Mt. Yoshino. Originally a Buddhist monastery for mountain ascetics, this sacred sanctuary has served as a royal refuge for emperors and a hideout for legendary samurai heroes like Minamoto no Yoshitsune. Today, it is most famous for offering the “Hitome Senbon” view, the breathtaking “thousand cherry trees at a glance” vista that blankets the valley in pink. Whether you are exploring the ancient architectural treasures of the main hall or soaking in the panoramic views of the Nara mountains, Yoshimizu Shrine provides a unique window into the spiritual and political intrigue of old Japan.
Yoshimizu Shrine and the Link to Legendary Samurai Warriors
Yoshimizu Shrine, overlooking Naka-senbon and Kami-senbon, is another spot in Mt. Yoshino that was registered as a World Heritage site in 2004. The shrine was originally called Yoshimizu-in (吉水院) and was part of Kinpusenji Temple. Due to a decree from the Meiji government separating Shintoism from Buddhism, Yoshimizu Yoshimizu-in became Yoshimizu Shrine, enshrining Emperor Godaigo (後醍醐天皇) and Kusunoki Masashige (楠木 正成), a trusted supporter of Emperor Godaigo.
The shrine was the venue of copious historical events. It was the Imperial Palace of Emperor Godaigo in the early 14th century. When Toyotomi Hideyoshi (豊臣 秀吉) became the leader of the country, he and approximately 5,000 people spent around 5 days here admiring Mt. Yoshino’s cherry blossom. You can now see the Important Cultural Properties donated by Hideyoshi in the temple’s Shoin (書院).
Also, it was where Minamoto no Yoshitsune (源 義経), a great military commander from the late Heian and early Kamakura periods, was hidden during his escape from his brother’s army. As proof of this, a pillar in the shrine’s precinct has two nails smashed into it. It is said that Benkei (弁慶), Minamoto no Yoshitsune’s object, demonstrated his strength to protect his lord from the pursuit by smashing the nails into the stone with his thumb! Seeing the scene, the enemy fled in fear. The stone pillar is now known as Benkei no Chikara Kugi (弁慶の力釘).
When Hideyoshi saw the stone later on during his five-day stay, he said, “Only if I had that kind of power” while he was touching the nails (´▽｀*).
The Interesting Ritual at Yoshimizu Shrine’s Hokketsumon (北闕門)
At the back of the Shoin, there is a gate called Hokketsumon. It is a site for pilgrims’ prayer and purification. Before they set foot on Mt. Ōmine (大峰山), they performed a ritual here to inform the mountain’s guardian gods of their journey and to pray for a safe trip.
It is said that Emperor Godaigo was here, facing Kyoto, and struck the sky nine times in the morning and at night. In 1347, before Kusunoki Masashige departed for a battle, he also performed the ritual known as Kujishinhō (九字真法) for protection.
If you choose to visit the Shoin, how about performing the same ritual in front of Hokketsumon? You will definitely feel like one of the characters in the anime – Naruto, when you are doing the hand seals that the ritual involves!
For the steps of the ritual, please refer to the Yoshimizu Shrine website HERE. It is in Japanese, so just follow the photos.
- In step 4, you need to say Rin (臨), Byō (兵), Tō 闘, Sha (者), Kai (皆), Jin (陣), Retsu (烈), Zai (在), and then Zen (前) while you stroke through the air with your hand. The first stroke is horizontal and then vertical, and you alternate until you say “Zen”.
- Lastly, remember to strike from upper right to lower left per the photo and say, “Ei!”. Nothing will come out like what happens in the anime, but take it as the main part of the ritual is now completed, and you have the blessing from the gods.
- “R” in Japanese is pronounced as “L”.
- In step 2, you need to take three deep breaths while maintaining the hand sign. In step 5, while maintaining the same hand sign, you need to say “Seeman, Dooman (セーマン、ドーマン)” three times.
Yoshimizu Shrine’s Opening Hours, Admission Fee, and Access Information
- Yoshimizu Shrine’s Shoin is open from 9 am to 5 pm
- The last admission is at 4:30 pm.
- To enter the Shoin, the following fee will apply
- 600 yen for university students and above
- 400 yen for high school students
- 300 yen for elementary school students
- From Yoshinoyama Ropeway Station, it is a 10 to 15-minute walk.
Discover Other Attractions in Mt. Yoshino
Widely considered Japan’s premier cherry blossom destination, Mt. Yoshino has a couple of spots to admire the slopes blanketed by the flowers of over 30,000 cherry trees. And as a UNESCO World Heritage site, the sacred mountain offers much more than seasonal flowers. Thousand-year-old shrines are scattered in the Shimo, Naka, Kami, and Oku Senbon areas.
So, refer to our Mt. Yoshino article to discover the attractions that inspired poets for centuries!
