🗺️ Hakone Motomiya箱根元宮

Since 2400 years ago, Komagatake has been a place of mountain worship, revered as the sacred body of the towering spiritual peak and divine mountain in the north. At the summit, which stands at an elevation of 1,356 meters, is the Hakone Motomiya, the inner shrine of Hakone Shrine, highly respected as "Hakone Daigongen." Visitors can easily reach the summit of Komagatake by taking the Komagatake Ropeway from the station located in Hakone-en by Lake Ashi. From the top station of the ropeway, a staircase leads up to a minimalist shrine featuring only a vermilion-colored hall and torii gate. On clear days, the blue sky beautifully contrasts with the red shrine. Next to the approach to the shrine is a stone called "Umaori-ishi," said to be the place where deities descended on horseback in ancient times, and in recent years, it has gained popularity as a "sky energy spot." From the mountaintop where the shrine is located, one can enjoy a 360-degree panoramic view of the sacred mountain, Lake Ashi, and the stunning sights of Mount Fuji and Sagami Bay. Generally, the shrine is open for worship on the 1st, 13th, 15th, and 24th of each month, as well as on weekends and national holidays, during which a prayer ceremony led by shrine priests is held, and visitors can also purchase goshuin (shrine stamps). In the forest of Hakone-en, the "Kuzuryu Shrine (Honkaku)" is an outer shrine of Hakone Shrine, dedicated to the guardian deity of Lake Ashi, "Kuzuryu Daio." When visiting Hakone, it is recommended to worship at Hakone Shrine, Hakone Motomiya, and Kuzuryu Shrine together.

Located by the shores of Lake Ashi, it is the Okumiya of Hakone Shrine. Situated at the summit of Mount Komagatake, it can be accessed via the Komagatake Ropeway. Next to the approach is the historic site "Umaori Stone," which is said to be the rock where deities descended on horseback in ancient times. On weekends and specific dates, it is open for worship, allowing visitors to participate in prayer rituals and purchase goshuin (temple seals). Visiting this shrine along with Hakone Shrine and Kuzuryu Shrine for a three-shrine pilgrimage is popular as it is believed to bring double blessings.