Explanation of Mimine Shrine, the best spot in Chichibu

2024年6月11日大山悠二

“AnoHana,” “Kokosake,” “SoraAoi,” and “WataTen” Sacred Sites

*A Chichibu Railway train. If you’re lucky, you might ride an anime-themed train.*

Chichibu, which has been famous as the sacred site of “AnoHana” since 2011, has finally regained its calm.
Although it still hosts events for other popular anime like “Kokosake” and “WataTen,” it doesn’t reach the fever pitch of the “AnoHana” era.
Nevertheless, anime-related events are held every year, and you can spot anime elements even on regular sightseeing trips.
As an anime fan, it’s exciting to see these, even if you can’t stare too openly in public.

*The interior of a “Kokosake” wrapped train. Everything from the ad spaces to the straps is in Kokosake style, showing a lot of enthusiasm.*

*A “WataTen” poster in Nagatoro. Although Nagatoro is only a sacred site in the movie version, it’s prominently featured.*

However, the best place I’ve visited in Chichibu so far is Mitsumine Shrine.
Whether you’re there for nostalgic anime pilgrimages, hunting for limited edition Ichiro’s Malt, or touring on a bike, I highly recommend visiting this shrine.

A Brief Explanation of Mitsumine Shrine, 2.5 Hours from Ikebukuro

*It’s a weekday in June, but quite a few people are here.*

Mitsumine Shrine is said to have begun when Yamato Takeru No Mikoto enshrined the deities Izanagi no Mikoto and Izanami no Mikoto.
Yamato Takeru no Mikoto is a prince who appears in ancient Japanese texts like the Kojiki and Nihon Shoki.

*Yamato Takeru no Mikoto, disguised as a woman, defeated the rebellious Kumaso in Kyushu on the orders of Emperor Keiko (Katsushika Hokusai, Ehon Musashi Abumi, Kokusho Database, saved on 2024/6/10)*

Yamato Takeru no Mikoto, the child of Emperor Keiko, the 12th Emperor (the current emperor is the 126th), was born over 1900 years ago (according to some theories).
He is famous for being sent east and west to suppress rebellious forces, achieving notable results.
The shrine started with Yamato Takeru no Mikoto, who is often worshipped as a deity in Japan, enshrining deities himself.

Later, En no Ozunu, the founder of Shugendo, is said to have practiced in the mountains around Mitsumine.
He was a key figure around the 7th century.

*En no Ozunu, treated as a powerful figure controlling demons (Zenki and Goki) by the Edo period, is the inspiration for Hao’s guardian spirits in Shaman King (Katsushika Hokusai, Hokusai Manga 10, National Diet Library Digital Collection, obtained on 2024/6/10)*

Additionally, it is said that Kobo Daishi Kukai enshrined a Kannon statue at Mitsumine Shrine.

Mitsumine Shrine has long been a popular power spot among Kamakura samurai and Edo citizens.

The shrine is divided into the main shrine and the inner shrine. The main shrine (at an altitude of 1102m) can be reached by bus, while the inner shrine is at the mountain summit (altitude of 1332m) and requires climbing a mountain trail.

Why Mitsumine Shrine is Amazing

One of the Premier Power Spots in the Kanto Region

Located at an altitude of 1,102 meters, offering spectacular views
Originates from 1900 years ago, with nature that even impressed Yamato Takeru no Mikoto
Historically treated as a sacred site and a place for ascetic practices

*The view near the main shrine is already breathtaking.*

From the bus stop to the main shrine, the view is already spectacular.
If you’re lucky, you might see a sea of clouds.
The scenery alone refreshes your mood and gives you a sense of power.

*The main shrine and the sacred tree. There’s even a platform to touch the sacred tree.*

Then, heading to the main shrine.
Seeing Yamato Takeru no Mikoto, a mythical figure known to every Japanese, in the shrine’s history is deeply moving.
The fact that it’s been a power spot since ancient times, with connections to figures like En no Ozunu and Kukai, certainly adds to its mystical feel.

A Moderate Hike to the Inner Shrine

The inner shrine is at the summit of Mt. Myohogatake (1332m), offering a light hiking course from the main shrine
If you take the bus to the main shrine, it’s a 200m altitude difference and 2.5km to the top
A pleasant hike, feeling nature and getting some light exercise

*The trail is proper for hiking. There are challenging parts for elderly people, so caution is needed.*

For middle-aged folks who want to hike but are worried about their stamina, the path to Mitsumine Shrine’s inner shrine is perfect.
It takes 2.5 hours round trip, with a moderate difficulty that’s not too easy or too hard.
For adults without an exercise habit, it might be somewhat tough but manageable.

Exercise in the great nature over 1000 meters above sea level is refreshing.
Just before the summit, you’ll need to climb rocks with chains, which adds to the excitement!

The Inner Shrine is Truly Impressive

The scenery that impressed Yamato Takeru no Mikoto should be close to what you see
The view from the summit is amazing

*The inner shrine is a modest stone shrine, featuring wolf guardians commonly seen around Chichibu.*

The sacred view from the 1332m summit.
According to history, Yamato Takeru no Mikoto climbed the three peaks of Mitsumine (including Myohogatake), so the inner shrine’s location should be close to what he saw.

*It was raining and foggy that day, creating a very sacred atmosphere.*

It feels like a divine space, where you can understand why a shrine was built here.

A Manageable Distance Even for Beginners on a Trip

You can explore thoroughly in a day
The Chichibu area has many other tourist spots, making it easy to adjust your schedule

It takes about 3 hours from Ikebukuro to get there, so you can make a day trip to visit just Mitsumine Shrine.
However, a day trip can feel rushed, so it’s better to stay overnight and combine it with other sightseeing.
The Chichibu area has many tourist attractions, so combining it with other spots is recommended.

This time, I visited over two nights and three days with the goal of leisurely visiting the three shrines in Chichibu.
There are many tourist resources to adjust to, such as temples, local cuisine, and hot springs, so a relaxed schedule felt just right.

Points to Note

The path to the inner shrine is a proper mountain trail, so at least wear comfortable clothes and shoes
As a popular power spot, it gets crowded on holidays and long weekends
The trail to the inner shrine is open only during the climbing season
Buses to Mitsumine Shrine are infrequent, so check the timetable if you’re going by bus

Although highly recommended, the visit to the inner shrine can be risky despite the short distance.
There are parts where the path is less than 1 meter wide, making a fall potentially dangerous, so avoid wearing unsuitable clothing.
Also, it’s a popular power spot, so crowds can be an issue.
The bus on holidays might be a concern since it’s a long mountain road ride.
It’s best to visit on a weekday when it’s less crowded.

*Buses run about once an hour, and the last one leaves early, so be careful. (as of June 2024)*

About the Schedule

Since it was my first visit, I made some scheduling mistakes. I’ll leave some schedule ideas as a reminder for next time.

Sample Schedule (Morning Visit to the Inner Shrine)

*Based on the bus schedule for a holiday in June 2024*
The last bus leaves at 16:30, so:

8:30 – Take the bus from Seibu-Chichibu

9:50 – Arrive at Mitsumine Shrine

10:00 – Start the main shrine visit

10:45 – Museum visit

11:30 – Lunch at the restaurant next to Mitsumine Shrine

12:30 – Depart for the inner shrine

13:45 – Arrive at the inner shrine

14:00 – Depart from the inner shrine

15:00 – Arrive back at the main shrine

15:15 – Get the Goshuin (shrine stamp)

15:30 – Take the return bus

16:50 – Arrive at Seibu-Chichibu station

17:00 – Refresh at the hot springs in front of Seibu-Chichibu station

My Schedule Record (Weekday)

The visit to the main shrine was too short, could have spent another 20 minutes
The museum was more interesting than expected, could have spent more time there
The walk around the main shrine was quite extensive, needed a break

10:25 – Take the bus from Mitsumineguchi

11:20 – Arrive at Mitsumine Shrine

11:30 – Start the main shrine visit

11:45 – Depart for the inner shrine

12:40 – Arrive at the inner shrine

12:45 – Depart from the inner shrine

13:45 – Arrive back at the main shrine

13:50 – Museum visit

(Skipped lunch due to awkward timing)

(Forgot to get the Goshuin)

14:30 – Take the return bus

15:50 – Arrive at Seibu-Chichibu station

16:30 – Check-in at the accommodation

Other Must-See Spots

The Adjacent Museum Exceeded Expectations

At least when I visited, I was the only visitor. I entered out of boredom, but it was unexpectedly lavish.

The exhibits include Buddhist statues and scriptures from the syncretism of Shinto and Buddhism, displays related to wolf worship including a taxidermy Japanese wolf, and exhibits related to the Chichibu-no-Miya family.

Since photography is not allowed, I don’t have any images, but if you have time while waiting for the bus, be sure to visit. It’s only a few hundred yen to enter.

Personally, I enjoyed the mandala and the Japanese wolf fur displays.

The Amulets are Popular

Mitsumine Shrine’s amulets are popular. The “White Ki-mamori” amulet, which was previously only sold on the 1st of each month, is no longer available, but other colors are still sold.

Mitsumine Shrine is one of the three Chichibu shrines, and the amulet from another of the three, Hodosan Shrine, the “Treasure Amulet,” pairs well with it, making it a must-have for amulet enthusiasts.