Togakushi Shrine — Five Shrines in Mountain Forest

Togakushi Shrine (戸隠神社) is a complex of five Shinto shrines scattered across the forested slopes of Mount Togakushi, connected by ancient pilgrimage trails through towering cedar forests. The shrines date back over 2,000 years and are dedicated to deities associated with the Amano-Iwato myth — the story of the sun goddess Amaterasu hiding in a cave, plunging the world into darkness until other deities lured her out.

The most famous shrine is Okusha (奥社, 'Inner Shrine'), reached via a 2km path lined with 400-year-old cryptomeria cedars — one of Japan's most atmospheric forest approaches. The cedar avenue creates a cathedral-like corridor, with filtered sunlight and moss-covered ground. Togakushi is also known for soba noodles (Togakushi soba is considered among Japan's top three soba-producing regions) and togakushi-ryu ninja history (the area was a ninja training ground).