Fujisan Sengen Shrine

Fujisan Sengen Shrine (富士山本宮浅間大社, Fujisan Hongū Sengen Taisha), located at the southwestern base of Mount Fuji in Fujinomiya, is a historic and spiritual site with deep ties to Japan’s cultural heritage. Established over 1,000 years ago to ward off volcanic eruptions, the shrine later became the head of more than 1,300 Sengen and Asama shrines throughout Japan. It was traditionally the starting point for climbers heading to Mount Fuji’s summit, where they would first purify themselves in the sacred Wakutama Pond. The shrine’s grand architectural features include the unique two-story Inner Shrine, a rare and notable example of the Sengen style, which further highlights its cultural significance.

The shrine is set in a picturesque landscape, surrounded by 500 cherry trees that bloom in spring, creating a stunning backdrop for the annual yabusame horseback archery contest held on May 5. Throughout the year, the shrine hosts seasonal ceremonies that signal the opening and closing of Mount Fuji’s climbing season, maintaining its sacred role in the region. While most climbers now begin their journey from the Fujinomiya 5th Station, the shrine remains a revered site for pilgrims. At the summit of Mount Fuji, the shrine’s innermost grounds, Okumiya, encompass the crater and the area above the 8th Station, preserving its deep spiritual connection to the mountain.