Hakone Shrine

Author: Richard Perkins
Photos/Videos Taken: 2021/05/18
Address: 80-1 Motohakone,
Hakone-machi, Ashigarashimo-gun,
Kanagawa,【250-0522】

In the city of Hakone, Kanagawa Prefecture lies Hakone Shrine. Now a popular tourist spot, it was originally built in 757 by a Buddhist monk named Mangan. This particular Shintō shrine worships the deities of Ninigi-no-mikoto, Konohanasakuya-hime, and Hikohohodemi. This shrine was initially where Buddhist monks part of 修験道 (shugendō—a religion that involves finding supernatural powers, saving themselves and the masses through various religious-based training in the mountains) trained themselves. Shugendō was part of 神仏習合 (shinbutsu-shūgō—a time when the Buddhist and Shinto religion was mixed into one religion), so the activities that took part from this religion continued until the 神仏分離 (shinbutsu-bunri—when the order of the Buddhist and Shinto religion was to be separated) in the Meiji period.

On the grounds of Hakone Shrine are several other Shintō shrines. Two of those shrines are 箱根元宮 (hakone-mototsumiya) and 九頭龍神社 (kuzuryū jinja). The three of these shrines together are known as 箱根三宮 (hakone-sangū—literally: three Hakone shrines). Originally, Hakone Shrine was known as 箱根権現 (hakone-gongen), and worshipped a mix of Gods from the Buddhist and Shintō religion that was part of the mountain worship known as 山岳信仰 (sangaku-shinkō) and shugendō. The name “Hakone Shrine” was given after shinbutsu-bunri took place.

Minamoto no Yoritomo (the founder and the first shōgun of the Kamakura shogunate) and Tokugawa Ieyasu (the founder and first shōgun of the Tokugawa shogunate) both visited Hakone Shrine to pray for victory in battle. In particular, Minamoto no Yoritomo greatly embraced Hakone Shrine, so much so that he came here each year. Known as 初詣 (hatsmōde), each year, Japanese people visit a Shintō shrine or Buddhist temple at the beginning of the New Year to pray for good luck and so on throughout the next year. At the New Year, Minamoto no Yoritomo visited both the Hakone Shrine and Izusan Shrine (Shizuoka Prefecture), starting a tradition known as 二所詣 (nishomōde—visiting two Shintō shrines or Buddhist temples at the beginning of the New Year). He continued this tradition until 1327.

Japan changed drastically during the Meiji period, and many temples and shrines changed dramatically, too. However, many can be enjoyed in an (almost) unchanged environment. The road leading up to the main building at Hakone Shrine is surrounded by a beautiful forest with a mystical atmosphere. Hakone Shrine is a shrine that can be enjoyed while surrounded by nature.