Complete Guide to Oyama Shrine (Tateyama Town, Nakaniikawa District, Toyama Prefecture) | The History of Etchu Province’s Ichinomiya and Everything About Visiting the Three Shrines
What is Oyama Shrine?
Oyama Shrine (Oyama Jinja) is a shrine located in Tateyama Town, Nakaniikawa District, Toyama Prefecture. It is the Ichinomiya (first-ranked shrine) of Etchu Province, enshrining the sacred Mount Tateyama as its divine body. Formerly known as Tateyama Gongen or Oyama Gongen, it has been revered as the center of Tateyama worship since ancient times.
It is identified as a Shikinaisha (Oyama Shrine, Niikawa District, Etchu Province), formerly a National Shrine of the lower rank, and is currently designated as a Special Shrine by the Association of Shinto Shrines. As an important shrine that conveys the faith of Mount Tateyama, one of Japan’s three sacred mountains (along with Mount Fuji and Mount Hakusan), it attracts many worshippers.
Characteristics of the Three-Shrine Structure
The most distinctive feature of Oyama Shrine is that it consists of three shrines: Minehonsha, Chugu Kiganden, and Maedate Shadan. Each is located at a different altitude, a configuration that reflects the historical development of Tateyama worship.
Deities Enshrined at Oyama Shrine
Oyama Shrine enshrines the following two deities:
- Izanagi-no-kami: The creator god of Japanese mythology who created the land and the gods.
- Ame-no-Tachikarao-no-kami: The god of strength known from the Amano-Iwato myth.
These deities have been revered as gods of Tateyama since ancient times. In particular, Amano-Tachikarao-no-kami, due to his strength in opening the rock cave, is worshipped as a god of good fortune and protection against evil. The worship of Mount Tateyama itself, a sacred mountain, as its deity, represents a typical form of ancient Japanese mountain worship.
History of Oyama Shrine
Founding and Legend of Mount Tateyama’s Opening
Oyama Shrine is believed to have been founded in 701 AD (Taihō 1). According to the legend of Mount Tateyama’s opening, Saeki Ariyori (later known as Jikō Shōnin), son of Saeki Ariwaka, the governor of Etchū Province, entered Mount Tateyama in pursuit of his father’s hawk. He was attacked by a bear, but was saved by the appearance of Amida Buddha and Fudo Myoo, marking the beginning of Tateyama worship.
Based on this legend, Ariyori became a monk, taking the name Jikō, and climbed Mount Tateyama, building a shrine on the summit of Mount Oyama, which is considered the origin of Oyama Shrine. This founding legend strongly reflects elements of Shugendō, a fusion of Buddhism and Shinto.
The Era of Shinto-Buddhist Syncretism
From the Heian period to the Edo period, Oyama Shrine, known as Tateyama Gongen, adopted a form of Shinto-Buddhist syncretism. Tateyama developed as a sacred site for Shugendo (mountain asceticism), and two temple lodging settlements, Ashikuraji and Iwakuraji, were formed, each becoming a center of Tateyama worship.
In the Middle Ages, Tateyama became known throughout Japan as a sacred site depicting the worlds of hell and paradise through religious paintings known as the “Tateyama Mandala.” During this period, Oyama Shrine established itself as the Ichinomiya (first-ranked shrine) of Etchu Province and one of the most prominent sacred sites in Japan.
Changes After the Meiji Era
With the Meiji-era decree separating Shinto and Buddhism, Tateyama Gongen was renamed Oyama Shrine, and its Buddhist elements were removed. Consequently, Ashikuraji and Iwakuraji, both centers of Shugendo (mountain asceticism), were separated. Ashikuraji inherited the Chugu Prayer Hall, while Iwakuraji inherited the Maetate Shrine.
In 1871 (Meiji 4), it was ranked as a National Shrine of the lower rank, receiving national protection. After World War II, it was designated a Special Shrine and continues to function as the center of Tateyama worship, maintaining its status as the Ichinomiya (first-ranked shrine) of Etchu Province.
Details of the Three Shrines
Mine Honsha (Main Shrine on the Peak)
Location: 1 Mine, Tateyama, Ashikuraji, Tateyama-machi, Nakaniikawa-gun, Toyama Prefecture (Summit of Mt. Oyama, Tateyama Mountain Range, Elevation 3,003m)
Mine Honsha is a shrine located on the summit of Mt. Oyama, the main peak of the Tateyama Mountain Range, and is the most sacred place that conveys the original form of Oyama Shrine. The shrine, situated on a rocky outcrop approximately 3,003 meters above sea level, is only accessible for worship during the summer mountain climbing season, from July 1st to September 30th.
Climbing to the Peak Shrine
The peak shrine can be accessed by climbing a mountain trail for about two hours from the Murodo Terminal on the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route. While the trail is well-maintained, sufficient equipment and physical fitness are necessary due to the high altitude of 3,000 meters.
From the summit, a magnificent panoramic view of the Northern Alps unfolds, and on clear days, you can even see as far as the Sea of Japan. Many climbers receive a Goshuin (shrine stamp) and prayers from Shinto priests at the summit.
Features of the Mine Main Shrine
- The main shrine is located inside a cave, with the natural bedrock itself serving as the sacred object of worship.
- A Shinto priest is stationed there only during the summer months, performing prayers and bestowing Goshuin (shrine seals).
- Climbers are issued a certificate of ascent.
- Despite its harsh natural environment, it has a history of being maintained through the power of faith.
Chugu Prayer Hall
Location: 2 Ashikuraji, Tateyama-machi, Nakaniikawa-gun, Toyama Prefecture
The Chugu Prayer Hall is a shrine located in the former Ashikuraji temple village, and until the Edo period, it served as a center of Shinto-Buddhist syncretism as Chugu-ji Temple. The current prayer hall was rebuilt in 1877 (Meiji 10) and is a majestic shrine surrounded by large cedar trees.
The Role of the Chugu Prayer Hall
The Chugu Prayer Hall has functioned as a place of prayer for worshippers who are unable to climb the mountain or who cannot ascend it during times when climbing to the main shrine is difficult. It is open for worship throughout the year, and various prayers and the issuance of Goshuin (temple stamps) are performed there.
Highlights of the Shrine Grounds
- Main Hall: A stately shrine building retaining the architectural style of the Meiji period.
- Cedar Avenue: Giant cedar trees, some hundreds of years old, line the approach to the shrine.
- Water Basin: A water basin where pure, clear water from Mount Tateyama springs forth.
- Shrine Office: A place where Goshuin and amulets are issued.
The area around the Chugu Prayer Hall still retains a strong atmosphere of a sacred site where ascetic monks once trained, and is enveloped in a tranquil atmosphere.
Maedate Shadan (Front Shrine)
Location: 1 Iwakuraji, Tateyama-machi, Nakaniikawa-gun, Toyama Prefecture
Maedate Shadan is a shrine located in the Iwakuraji settlement, making it the most easily accessible of the three shrines. The name “Maedate” indicates its role as a village shrine located in front of Mount Tateyama.
Characteristics of Maedate Shadan
Maedate Shadan has long welcomed many worshippers as the gateway to Tateyama worship. During the Edo period, the Iwakuraji settlement flourished with lodging houses, attracting pilgrims from all over Japan on their way to Tateyama.
- Main Shrine: A shrine building with traditional Shinto architectural style.
- Worship Hall: A spacious area for worshippers to receive prayers.
- Shrine Grounds: Several subsidiary shrines are located within the grounds.
- Shrine Office: For issuing Goshuin (shrine stamps) and amulets, and for accepting prayer requests.
Maetate Shrine is within walking distance of Iwakuraji Station on the Toyama Chihō Railway Tateyama Line, making it easily accessible by public transportation. It is open for worship throughout the year, and is bustling with many visitors during New Year’s and annual festivals.
Festivals and Annual Events of Oyama Shrine
Various festivals are held at each of the three shrines within Oyama Shrine.
Major Festivals
Oyama Shrine Annual Grand Festival
- Date: Mid-July
- Location: Peak Main Shrine
- Content: Shinto ritual at the mountaintop, prayer for the safety of climbers
Tateyama Opening Festival
- Date: July 1st
- Location: Peak Main Shrine
- Content: Shinto ritual marking the start of the summer climbing season
Closing Festival
- Date: September 30th
- Location: Peak Main Shrine
- Content: Shinto ritual marking the end of the summer climbing season
Spring Grand Festival
- Date: Late April
- Location: Chugu Prayer Hall/Maetate Shrine
- Content: Prayers for a bountiful harvest and family safety
Autumn Grand Festival
- Date: Mid-October
- Location: Chugu Prayer Hall/Maetate Shrine
- Content: Thanksgiving for the harvest, prayers for the safety of parishioners and worshippers
Monthly Festival
Monthly festivals are held on the 1st and 15th of each month, with prayers offered to worshippers at the Chugu Prayer Hall and the Maetate Shrine.
Goshuin (Shrine Seals) and Other Items
About Goshuin
At Oyama Shrine, different goshuin are offered at each of the three shrines.
Goshuin (seal) of the Peak Shrine
- Issuance Period: July 1st to September 30th (Summer mountain season only)
- Features: Calligraphy of “Tateyama Peak Shrine,” and an indication of the altitude of 3,003m
- Offering Fee: 500 yen
Goshuin (seal) of the Middle Shrine Prayer Hall
- Issuance Period: Year-round
- Features: Calligraphy of “Oyama Shrine Middle Shrine Prayer Hall”
- Offering Fee: 500 yen
Goshuin (seal) of the Front Shrine
- Issuance Period: Year-round
- Features: Calligraphy of “Oyama Shrine Front Shrine,” and the seal of the Ichinomiya (first-ranked shrine) of Etchu Province
- Offering Fee: 500 yen
Collecting the goshuin of all three shrines in a “Three Shrine Pilgrimage” is a popular pilgrimage that allows you to deeply experience the Tateyama faith.
Main Items Offered
- Amulets: Various types including mountain climbing safety amulets, traffic safety amulets, and academic success amulets.
- Certificate of Ascent: Proof of worship at the main shrine (only at the main shrine).
- Tateyama Mandala Goods: Items featuring designs that convey the history of Tateyama faith.
- Ema (Votive Tablets): Ema (votive tablets) depicting the Tateyama mountain range.
Cultural Properties
Oyama Shrine possesses valuable cultural properties that tell the history of Tateyama faith.
Important Cultural Properties
Tateyama Mandala
- Designation: Nationally Designated Important Cultural Property (Painting)
- Overview: A religious painting depicting the hell and paradise of Tateyama. Used to spread Tateyama faith during the Edo period
- Current possession: Partially deposited at the Toyama Prefectural Tateyama Museum
Prefectural Designated Cultural Property
Chugu Prayer Hall Main Shrine
- Designation: Toyama Prefectural Designated Cultural Property (Building)
- Construction date: Meiji 10 (1877)
- Features: Well-preserved characteristics of early Meiji era shrine architecture
Ancient Documents
- Numerous ancient documents and ridgepole inscriptions related to Tateyama faith are designated as prefectural cultural properties
Other Cultural Properties
- Shrine Treasures: Successive offerings, ritual implements used in Shinto ceremonies
- Stone Sculptures: Stone lanterns, guardian lion-dogs, etc. placed throughout the shrine grounds
Tateyama Faith and Shugendo
Characteristics of Tateyama Faith
Tateyama faith is a unique form of belief that combines ancient Japanese mountain worship with Buddhism and Shugendo. Tateyama is known as “Tateyama Hell” and has been considered a sacred site embodying the afterlife. The Tateyama Mandala depicts the torments of hell and the Pure Land, and “picture-based explanations” using this mandala were performed throughout Japan. Especially for women, who were forbidden from climbing Mount Tateyama, learning about the Tateyama faith through the mandala held significant meaning.
Ashikuraji and Iwakuraji
These two lodging villages that supported the Tateyama faith each played different roles.
Ashikuraji
- Functioned as a starting point for climbing Mount Tateyama
- Base for Shugendo practitioners (monks)
- Location of the current Chugu Prayer Hall
Iwakuraji
- Welcomed worshippers as a village shrine
- Numerous lodging houses existed, functioning as accommodation
- Location of the current Maetate Shrine
Even after the Meiji-era separation of Shinto and Buddhism, both villages continued their faith as part of the Oyama Shrine.
Access
Access to Mine Honsha Shrine
Hiking Route
- Get off at Murodo Station on the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route
- Hiking from Murodo Terminal via Ichinokoshi (approx. 2 hours)
- Elevation difference approx. 500m, distance approx. 3km
Notes
- Hiking equipment is essential (hiking boots, warm clothing, rain gear, etc.)
- Pay attention to weather changes
- Don’t forget to take precautions against altitude sickness
- Visiting period: July 1st to September 30th
Access to Chugu Kiganden Shrine
Public Transportation
- Get off at Tateyama Station on the Toyama Chihō Railway, approx. 15 minutes on foot
- Or approx. 5 minutes by taxi from Tateyama Station
By Car
- Approx. 15 minutes from Tateyama IC on the Hokuriku Expressway
- Parking: Available (free, approx. 30 cars)
Address: 2 Ashikuraji, Tateyama-machi, Nakaniikawa-gun, Toyama Prefecture
Access to Maetate Shrine
Public Transportation
- Get off at Iwakuraji Station on the Toyama Chihō Railway Tateyama Line, approximately 10 minutes on foot.
By Car
- Approximately 10 minutes from Tateyama IC on the Hokuriku Expressway.
- Parking: Available (free, approximately 20 spaces)
Address: 1 Iwakuraji, Tateyama-machi, Nakaniikawa-gun, Toyama Prefecture
Nearby Tourist Facilities
Toyama Prefectural Tateyama Museum
- Location: 93-1 Ashikuraji, Tateyama-machi, Nakaniikawa-gun
- Content: Comprehensive exhibition of the history, nature, and culture of Tateyama faith.
- Approximately 5 minutes on foot from Chūgū Prayer Hall.
Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route
- A mountain sightseeing route starting from Tateyama Station.
- Numerous attractions including Murodo and Kurobe Dam.
Points to Note When Visiting
A Recommendation for Visiting All Three Shrines
To deeply understand Oyama Shrine, we recommend visiting all three shrines in a “Three Shrine Pilgrimage.”
Recommended Course
- Maetate Shrine: Experience the entrance to Tateyama faith as the village shrine.
- Chugu Prayer Hall: Pray at this sacred site that retains the atmosphere of Shugendo (mountain asceticism).
- Mine Honsha Shrine: Experience the original form of faith at the mountaintop during the summer.
By visiting in this order, you can gradually understand the overall picture of Tateyama faith.
Visiting Etiquette
- Bow before passing through the torii gate
- Purify your body and mind at the water basin
- Worship using the two bows, two claps, and one bow ritual
- At the main shrine, mountain climbing etiquette is also important (take your trash with you, protect nature)
Clothing and Belongings
Maetate Shrine and Chugu Prayer Hall
- General visiting attire is acceptable
- Comfortable shoes are recommended as the grounds are gravel paths
Main Shrine
- Mountain climbing equipment is essential
- Warm clothing (temperatures are low at the summit even in summer)
- Rain gear, drinking water, and snacks
- Submitting a climbing plan is recommended
Nearby Accommodations
Accommodation in Tateyama Town
Around Ashikuraji
- Several guesthouses and inns are available
- There are also temple lodgings that allow you to experience the history of Tateyama faith
Around Tateyama Station
- Plenty of hotels and inns available
- Convenient base for sightseeing on the Alpine Route
Accommodation in Murodo
If your purpose is to visit the main shrine at Mine, an overnight stay in Murodo is recommended.
Mikurigaike Onsen
- Japan’s highest-altitude natural hot spring
- Located at an altitude of 2,410m
Raichoso/Tateyama Murodo Mountain Hut
- Mountain hut near Murodo Terminal
- Convenient for early morning departures
Highlights and Experiences of Oyama Shrine
Seasonal Scenery
Spring (April-June)
- Chugu Prayer Hall/Maetate Shrine: Fresh greenery and spring festivals
- Tateyama: The time to see the Snow Valley (Murodo)
Summer (July-September)
- Peak Main Shrine: Open for worship, alpine plants in full bloom
- Bustling with many climbers during the climbing season
Autumn (October-November)
- Tateyama: Famous for its autumn foliage
- Chugu Prayer Hall/Maetate Shrine: Autumn Grand Festival
Winter (December-March)
- Peak Main Shrine: Closed during the mountain closure period
- Chugu Prayer Hall/Maetate Shrine: A tranquil visit amidst a snowy landscape
Visiting in conjunction with Tateyama climbing
Visiting the Peak Main Shrine can be enjoyed as part of a Tateyama climb. From the summit of Mt. Oyama, you can enjoy a panoramic view of famous peaks in the Northern Alps such as Mt. Tsurugi and Mt. Yakushi, and on clear days, you can even see the Sea of Japan and the Toyama Plain.
The prayers performed by Shinto priests at the summit offer a solemn experience unique to this sacred site at an altitude of 3,000 meters.
Social Role of Oyama Shrine
Center of Regional Faith
Oyama Shrine, as the Ichinomiya (first-ranked shrine) of Etchu Province, has attracted faith from all over Toyama Prefecture. Even today, it remains a beloved place of prayer for life’s milestones, such as New Year’s visits, Shichi-Go-San (a traditional rite of passage for children), and exorcisms.
Collaboration with Tateyama Tourism
Since the opening of the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route, Oyama Shrine has played a unique role in blending tourism and faith. The climb to the main shrine at the summit of Mt. Oyama encompasses both tourist hiking and religious pilgrimage, welcoming a diverse range of visitors.
Cultural Heritage Preservation and Transmission
Active cultural heritage preservation activities are undertaken, including the preservation of historical materials related to Tateyama faith and research on the Tateyama Mandala. Furthermore, activities to promote Tateyama faith continue in cooperation with the Tateyama Museum.
Summary
Oyama Shrine, located in Tateyama Town, Nakaniikawa District, Toyama Prefecture, is a venerable shrine with a history of over 1300 years, serving as the Ichinomiya (first-ranked shrine) of Etchu Province. It consists of three shrines: the main shrine at the summit, the Chugu Prayer Hall, and the Maetate Shrine, each preserving different aspects of Tateyama faith.
The main shrine at the summit of Mt. Oyama, at an altitude of 3,003 meters, is one of Japan’s highest-altitude shrines, accessible only during the summer months. The Chugu Prayer Hall and Maetate Shrine welcome visitors throughout the year. Through visiting the three shrines, you can experience the origins of Japanese mountain worship and the history of the syncretism of Shinto and Buddhism.
The belief in Mount Tateyama, a sacred peak, as its object of worship, is based on reverence and gratitude for nature, and continues to captivate many people today. When you visit Toyama, be sure to visit Oyama Shrine and experience the profound depths of Japanese spiritual culture.
