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Sakura blooming now
I have been to Hodosan Shrine several times since I first wrote the review below. I wanted to add some information about the cherry blossoms at the shrine, which are in bloom right now. The newest photo - with the Tuktuk in front of the Torii - is from April 5th 2026. This white torii is the first torii to the shrine and is a good distance away from the shrine itself. It is a road now, but it is lined either side with beautiful somei yoshino sakura. It's well worth visiting during the cherry blossom season.
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on Jan 16
The first emperor of Japan is enshrined here
I only learned after my visit, thanks to an article by @thehikingalto, that Hodosan shrine enshrines the Emperor Jimmu who founded Japan. Within knowing this at the time of my visit, with my husband as my witness as I declared it to him in the car park of the shrine, I instantly felt an atmosphere as we approached the torii of the shrine. The benevolence of the shrine is believed to be protection from disasters. It is a common place for hikers to pay homage as one of the three Kami (Gods / Deity) enshrined here is a mountain deity. But it is also because the shrine has a sub branch at the top of Mt Hodo. The architecture of the almost 2000 year old shrine is magnificent. The various auxiliary shrines are impressive too. And the grounds are beautiful. It is easily accessible by public transport too, as you can walk up from Nagatoro station in about 10 to 15 minutes.
BigfamJapan
10 hours ago