🗺️ Meigusa Megaliths

Ashikaga City is a historic city with rich natural scenery and numerous temples and shrines. Whether in the city or the suburbs, one can encounter a variety of picturesque landscapes, among which the Meikusa Giant Rock Formation is notable. This rock formation is located upstream of the Meikusa River, where fireflies inhabit, and is a scenic area filled with mystery. It has long been revered by the local community as a "sacred rock" or "iwakura" where deities are said to have sat. It is said that the giant rock formation was formed during the Cretaceous period. It is a mass of granite that solidified after cooling, with a diameter of about 1.5 kilometers. Such giant rock formations are quite rare in Japan, and the unique "onion-like weathering" phenomenon exhibited by the granite holds significant academic value for studying its formation process. In 1939, it was officially designated as a national natural monument of Japan. Among the highlights is the largest rock in the formation, the Mikoshi Stone, and the Itsukushima Shrine built atop the giant rock. According to legend, the Itsukushima Shrine was established during the early Heian period in the Kōnin era (810-824) by Kōbō Daishi, who enshrined the statue of Benzaiten, marking the beginning of the shrine's history. The largest Mikoshi Stone stands about 11 meters tall, with a circumference of 30 meters, and even the seemingly small triangular capstone is about 3 meters high. It is worth mentioning that the act of passing through the gaps in the Mikoshi Stone is known as "passing through the womb." It is said that doing so can grant wishes for children and safe childbirth. Another highlight is the "Benkei's Hand Split Rock," which is split in half in the middle, named after the imposing image of Benkei standing atop the giant rock and striking it with his hand. Additionally, the Itsukushima Shrine is one of the beloved temples in the Ashikaga Seven Lucky Gods pilgrimage, making it a worthwhile visit.

Designated as a national natural monument, this site is a shrine that began in the Heian period (810-824) when Kōbō Daishi enshrined the statue of Benzaiten. It is said that if one can pass through the gap between the rocks, it will grant wishes for having children and safe childbirth. Itsukushima Shrine is one of the temples in the Ashikaga Seven Lucky Gods pilgrimage. The massive rock formations within the precincts of Itsukushima Shrine are considered the inner sanctum of the shrine.