Togakushi Shrine (ˉB_, Togakushi Jinja) consists of a lower, middle and upper shrine in the forested mountains northwest of central Nagano. The shrines are related to an important story in Japanese mythology in which the Sun Goddess hid herself in a cave in present day Takachiho on Kyushu after her brother had misbehaved, thereby bringing darkness to the world.
In order to get the sunlight back, the other deities tried to lure the Sun Goddess out of the cave by performing spectacular dance performances in front of it. As the Sun Goddess took a peek out, one of the deities grabbed the cave's stone door and threw it away to prevent her from hiding again. The stone door flew all the way to Togakushi in Nagano Prefecture, which is also how the area got its name: Togakushi literally means "hiding door".
Today, the upper shrine worships the deity who grabbed and threw away the stone door, while the middle shrine enshrines the deity who organized the dance performances.
The shrines of Togakushi are connected by roads and hiking trails up the mountain's forested slopes. Visitors first arrive at the torii gate of the lower shrine, where a long flight of stairs leads to the praying hall. A two kilometer ascent from there takes you to the middle shrine, which stands at the top of a small town of shops and restaurants. The shrine features a praying hall with nice architecture, a small waterfall, and sacred trees which are over 800 years old.
The entrance to the upper shrine is a further two kilometers uphill from the middle shrine. From the parking lot and bus stop starts the two kilometer long approach to the shrine, which is lined by over 300 tall cryptomeria trees, passes the thatched-roof Zuishinmon Gate along the way, and ends with a series of stone steps. The shrine's main hall spectacularly stands in the steep mountainside of Mount Togakushi with the mountain peaks towering above. Note that the path to the upper shrine gets closed beyond Zuishinmon Gate in winter.
An alternative trail to the upper shrine leads via Kagamiike ("Mirror Pond"), a serene pond which reflects the surrounding mountain landscape nicely. Note also that the Togakure Ninpo Museum is situated just next to the entrance to the upper shrine, while the Kids Ninja Village is close in proximity to the middle shrine, making interesting additions to the shrine visits.
Getting there and around
Express buses for tourists run every hour between Nagano Station and the three Togakushi shrines. The one way trip takes just under an hour and costs 2000 yen. Seat reservations should be made in advance online or at the Alpico Bus ticket office at Nagano Station, although it is possible to board the bus without reservation if there are vacant seats.
A separate bus operates hourly between the three shrines for 400 yen per ride.
How to get to and around Nagano
Hours and Fees
Hours
Closed
Admission
Questions? Ask in our forum.
Links and Resources
Hotels around Nagano
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Yadoya Shiroganeya Limited to one group per day (2 to 8 people) Fully booked traditional building inView on Booking.comComfortable Accommodations
Yadoya-Shiroganeya in Nagano offers family rooms with private bathrooms, fireplaces, and garden or mountain views. Each room includes a refrigerator, TV, and soundproofing for a relaxing stay.Relaxing Facilities
Guests can enjoy a hot spring bath, lush garden, and free WiFi throughout the property. Additional amenities include a dining area, yukata, and free toiletries.Dining Experience
The ryokan serves traditional Japanese cuisine with menus catering to special diets. Dinner is highly praised by guests for its authenticity and deliciousness.Activities and Location
Located 93 km from Matsumoto Airport, the ryokan is ideal for skiing, hiking, and cycling. Free on-site private parking and bicycle parking are available. -
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ShioriyaView on Booking.comComfortable Accommodation
Shioriya in Nagano offers a 2-star guest house experience with free WiFi, air-conditioning, and private bathrooms. Each room includes a bath, bidet, hairdryer, work desk, free toiletries, shower, slippers, TV, dining area, electric kettle, and wardrobe.Convenient Facilities
Guests can enjoy a lounge, shared kitchen, luggage storage, and free on-site private parking. Additional amenities include tatami floors, ensuring a relaxing stay.Activities and Location
Shioriya is highly rated for its friendly host, comfortable rooms, and delicious breakfast. Located 72 km from Matsumoto Airport, the property is ideal for skiing enthusiasts. -
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1166 BackpackersView on Booking.comComfortable Accommodations
1166 Backpackers in Nagano offers family rooms with air-conditioning, private bathrooms, and tatami floors. Each room includes a kitchenette, washing machine, and essential amenities such as a tea and coffee maker, hairdryer, and shower.Essential Facilities
Guests enjoy free WiFi, a lounge, shared kitchen, daily housekeeping service, and full-day security. Additional facilities include bicycle parking, bike hire, luggage storage, and a dining area.Convenient Location
Located 74 km from Matsumoto Airport, the hostel is praised for its friendly staff and excellent service support. The convenient location enhances the overall stay experience. -
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Jizokan Matsuya RyokanJust 250 metres from Zenko-ji Temple, Matsuya Ryokan offers simple Japanese rooms with tatami-mat floors, a green-tea maker and an attached Western bathroom. The hotel features public baths. Guests at Jizokan Matsuya Ryokan stay in rooms with shoji paper screens and traditional futon bedding. All rooms are air-conditioned and include a TV and slippers. Zenko-ji-shita Subway Station is 600 metres away, and Shinano Art Museum is 650 metres from the ryokan. JR Nagano Train Station is 3 km away. A Japanese breakfast and a Japanese course dinner are served at the dining room or the guest room.View on Booking.com -
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Hotel Metropolitan NaganoHotel Metropolitan Nagano features elegantly decorated rooms and a wide range of dining options, including a Japanese restaurant, a Chinese restaurant and a cafe. The hotel is conveniently located right next to the JR Nagano Train Station. All rooms feature carpeted floors, a seating area, and comes with a flat-screen TV, a desk and a wardrobe. There is a bath tub, a hairdryer and free toiletries in the en suite bathroom. Free WiFi is available throughout the property. Nagano Metropolitan Hotel provides luggage storage and dry cleaning services. A massage salon on the ground floor can provide guests with a vigorous massage. Zenko-ji temple, one of Japanfs National Treasures, is a 10-minute drive from the hotel. Shinano Art Museum and the Joyama Park are located within a 5-minute walk from the temple. The Iris cafe serves hearty breakfast buffet in the morning, while Shinano Japanese restaurant offers sushi and teppanyaki cuisines prepared right in front of the guests.View on Booking.com -
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Oshi RyokanView on Booking.comComfortable Accommodation
Oshi Ryokan in Nagano offers family rooms with tatami floors and shared bathrooms. Each room includes a TV, free toiletries, and free WiFi.Relaxing Facilities
Guests can enjoy a tranquil garden and a seating area. The property provides free on-site private parking and luggage storage.Convenient Services
The ryokan offers ski equipment hire, menus for special diets, and ski storage. Free WiFi is available throughout the property.Activities and Location
Located 93 km from Matsumoto Airport, the ryokan is ideal for skiing enthusiasts. English and Japanese are spoken at reception. -
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Chisun Grand NaganoLocated a 5-minute walk from JR Nagano Station, Chisun Grand Nagano offers clean, non-smoking guest rooms. We also offer a variety of complimentary amenities in the lobby. In support of the SDGs, we have not provided amenities in the rooms; instead, guests are welcome to bring whatever they need during their stay. Air-conditioned rooms are equipped with a smart TV, refrigerator, and electric kettle. Slippers and nightwear, an air purifier with humidifier, and a unit bath (with hairdryer) are also provided. Dry cleaning services and courier services are available at the front desk. Private parking is available on-site for an additional fee. If the parking lot is full, guests may be directed to a nearby affiliated parking lot. A smoking area is available in the lobby. *Smoking in the guest rooms will incur a special cleaning fee of 20,000 yen. Restaurant "Asama" on the 12th floor serves a Japanese breakfast made with locally grown white rice. Grilled fish and miso soup are also available. Please note that on busy days, admission may be divided into three shifts, and time and number restrictions may be put in place. Zenkoji Temple is a 10-minute drive away. Nagano Grand Chisun Hotel is a 25-minute drive from Iizuna Kogen Ski Resort and a 1.5-hour drive from Snow Monkey Park. A convenience store is a 4-minute walk away.View on Booking.com -
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Sotetsu Fresa Inn Nagano-ZenkojiguchiOnly a 2-minute walk from the Zenko-ji Exit of JR Nagano Train Station, Sotetsu Fresa Inn Nagano-Zenkojiguchi (Complex facility: Nacs Suehiro Building 5F Front) features simple accommodations with free WiFi access. The air-conditioned rooms feature a fridge and a flat-screen TV with a video-on-demand system. Slippers and sleepwear are provided for all guests, while the en suite bathroom comes with a hairdryer and toothbrush sets. A coin-launderette is on-site and luggage storage is provided at the 24-hour front desk. A convenience store is located on the ground floor. A breakfast buffet featuring Japanese and Western dishes are served at the dining room. Sotetsu Fresa Inn Nagano-Zenkojiguchi is a 10-minute drive from Zenko-ji Temple and a 45-minute drive from Togakushi Shrine. The Nagano Big Hat Sport Arena is a 10-minute drive and the Nagano Olympic Stadium is a 20-minute drive away.View on Booking.com -
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Hotel NewNagano NeXTView on Booking.comComfortable Accommodations
Hotel NewNagano NeXT in Nagano offers comfortable rooms with air-conditioning, private bathrooms, and soundproofing. Each room includes a work desk, TV, and free WiFi.Convenient Facilities
Guests benefit from free WiFi, a lift, 24-hour front desk, full-day security, and luggage storage. The hotel provides a buffet breakfast and a range of amenities including a refrigerator, electric kettle, and sofa bed.Prime Location
Located 73 km from Matsumoto Airport, the hotel is highly rated for its proximity to public transport options and excellent breakfast. Guests appreciate the attentive staff and excellent service support. -
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Chateraise Hotel NaganoView on Booking.comComfortable Accommodations
Chateraise Hotel Nagano in Nagano offers air-conditioned rooms with private bathrooms, city views, and modern amenities including free WiFi, work desks, and flat-screen TVs.Dining Experience
Guests can enjoy Japanese and European cuisines at the on-site restaurant, complemented by a buffet breakfast. The hotel also provides a public bath and a 24-hour front desk for added convenience.Convenient Facilities
The hotel features a lift, daily housekeeping service, luggage storage, and paid on-site private parking. Additional amenities include free toiletries, slippers, and a hairdryer.Accessibility
Located 73 km from Matsumoto Airport, the hotel offers easy access to local attractions.
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Experiences around Nagano
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Snow Monkeys, Zenko-ji Temple & Sake in Nagano day tourVisit Zenko-ji Temple - one of the oldest and most important temples in JapanView on Klook -
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Tokyo Departure | Nikko/Karuizawa/Gunma/Yokohama Customized Private Car Charter Day TripDeparting from Tokyo city, 10-hour chartered one-day tourView on Klook -
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Snow Monkey and Shiga Kogen Roman Museum Trip with Lunch BuffetGo on an adventure away from the busy Tokyo streets on this fun snow monkey and Shiga Kogen Roman Museum tripView on Klook
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