Futarasan Shrine
日光二荒山神社 · 닛코시
Shinto shrine in Tochigi Prefecture, Japan
Contents
8 sections · tap a section for its opening lines1Orientation
Welcome to Futarasan Shrine, the spiritual foundation of Nikko. Founded in 782 by the Buddhist monk Shodo Shonin, this shrine predates the more famous Toshogu complex by several centuries. …
Listen in the app2The Threshold of the Sacred — Shinkyo Bridge
Our journey begins at the Shinkyo Bridge, the iconic 'Sacred Bridge' that marks the gateway to Nikko’s spiritual realm. This vermillion-lacquered structure arches elegantly over the rushing blue waters of the Daiya River. …
Listen in the app3The Sanctuary of Connections — The Haiden
We have reached the Haiden, or Worship Hall, the central focus for prayer at Futarasan Shrine. This elegant building, characterized by its deep red lacquer and copper-tiled roof, is where visitors pay their respects to…
Listen in the app4The Family of Trees — Parent and Child Cedars
Within the shrine grounds, nature and divinity are perfectly merged in the form of the 'Parent and Child Trees' (Oyako Sugi). These are a cluster of massive, ancient cedar trees that appear to be growing from a single base—two…
Listen in the app5The Stairway to the Gods — Mount Nantai Trailhead
As we move toward the rear of the shrine, we encounter the trailhead for Mount Nantai. This 2,486-meter volcanic peak is the 'Futarasan' from which the shrine takes its name. …
Listen in the app6The Sacred Waters — Lake Chuzenji and Chugushi
Futarasan Shrine's spiritual influence extends several kilometers away to the shores of Lake Chuzenji, where the Chugushi (middle shrine) is located. This lake, formed by an eruption of Mount Nantai approximately 20,000 years…
Listen in the app7The Thunderous Descent — Kegon Falls
Our final stop in the Futarasan landscape is Kegon Falls, one of Japan's three most famous waterfalls. This 97-meter-tall cataract is formed where the waters of Lake Chuzenji pour over a massive lava wall into the valley below. …
Listen in the app8Closing
As we conclude our tour of Futarasan Shrine, we are left with a sense of the immense scale and deep antiquity of Nikko’s spiritual landscape. We have moved from the legendary serpents of the Shinkyo Bridge to the towering cedars…
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What is Futarasan Shrine?
Futarasan Shrine is a place in 닛코시 with 8 story sections on Tellby. You can read the opening of each section on this page; the sound plays in the app.
| Location | 닛코시 |
|---|---|
| Type | Heritage |
| Story sections | 8 |
| Text language | English |
| Coordinates | 36.7589, 139.5964 |
| Last updated |
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