Tsutsuguchi Shrine
Yamanashi Prefecture · Japan
Next, we visit a small local Shinto shrine surrounded by trees and silence. Here, your guide will teach you how Japanese people pray—how to bow, clap, and show respect, as well as local beliefs unique to this region. We then walk to a traditional Inden shop, a craft loved by samurai for centuries
Contents
8 sections · tap a section for its opening lines1Orientation1:45
Welcome to Tsutsuguchi Shrine, a tranquil and historically significant sanctuary located in the Funatsu area of Fujikawaguchiko Town. While many visitors flock to the grander shrines around the lake, Tsutsuguchi offers a much…
Listen in the app2The Torii Gate — Crossing into Sacred Space1:32
We begin at the entrance to the shrine, marked by a traditional wooden torii gate. In Shintoism, the torii serves as a symbolic boundary between the 'profane' everyday world and the 'sacred' grounds of the deity. …
Listen in the app3The Chozuya — Purification Rites1:28
Just inside the entrance, you will find the Chozuya, or purification fountain. This small stone basin, filled with clear water, is where worshippers wash their hands and mouths before approaching the main hall. …
Listen in the app4The Haiden — Hall of Worship1:28
We now stand before the Haiden, or Hall of Worship. This is the central structure where worshippers offer their prayers. …
Listen in the app5The Shinboku — Sacred Ancient Trees1:25
One of the most striking features of Tsutsuguchi Shrine is the presence of several 'Shinboku,' or sacred trees. These ancient cedars and pines are believed to be the dwelling places of spirits and are often several hundred years…
Listen in the app6Ima Suwa connection — The Sub-Shrine Altar1:29
On the periphery of the main hall, you will find a smaller altar or 'sessha' that marks the connection to the Ima Suwa Shrine. In the complex hierarchy of Shintoism, larger shrines often have smaller 'satellite' locations to…
Listen in the app7The Stone Lanterns and Sacred Markers1:25
Throughout the shrine grounds, you will notice various stone lanterns (toro) and 'Koshinto' (ancient stone markers). Many of these were donated by local families or guilds in the Edo and Meiji periods. …
Listen in the app8Closing1:22
As we prepare to leave the quiet precincts of Tsutsuguchi Shrine and return to the more active areas of Fujikawaguchiko, take a moment to reflect on the 'quiet devotion' we have witnessed. This shrine does not demand your…
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What is Tsutsuguchi Shrine?
Tsutsuguchi Shrine is a place in Yamanashi Prefecture · Japan with 8 story sections on Tellby. You can read the opening of each section on this page; the sound plays in the app.
| Location | Yamanashi Prefecture · Japan |
|---|---|
| Type | Heritage |
| Story sections | 8 |
| Total length | 11 min 54 s in all |
| Text language | English |
| Coordinates | 35.4612, 138.7543 |
| Last updated |