Inage Sengen Shrine 稲毛浅間神社

A mini-Fuji with a view and kagura

Don't let my photo fool you. While the forecourt is a wide paved area, it's in fact at the top of a slope. This shrine was established 1200 years ago by the Chiba clan. It's a tribute to Fujisan Hongu Sengen Taisha, a shrine in Shizuoka. That shrine, a world heritage site, is a sacred spot for Mt. Fuji veneration. The Inage version is built atop a hill with three paths in imitation of the hiking trails that lead to Mt. Fuji's peak. Surrounding it is Inage Park, noted for its pine forest. The shrine holds a festival on February 17th, Niinameisai, which includes a kagura dramatic dance performance.