5/5 Daisei Iketani (. 3 years ago on Google
The
honden
(main
shrine)
of
Kumomi
Sengen-Jinja
Shrine
is
located
near
the
summit
of
a
large
rock
called
Mt.
Eboshi
(162
m
/
531
ft).
This
large
"rock"
is
actually
just
a
volcanic
neck,
which
refers
to
a
large
hill
formed
when
magma
in
a
volcanic
vent
has
cooled
and
solidified.
Mt.
Eboshi
is
such
a
volcanic
neck
that
was
once
under
the
sea.
Over
time,
as
the
volcano
was
pushed
above
the
water's
surface,
the
walls
and
softer
outer
layers
of
the
volcano
eroded
leaving
behind
the
much
harder
magma
column
jutting
high
above
the
sea.
From
the
base
of
the
rock,
there
are
130
stone
steps
that
will
take
you
to
the
worship
hall
of
the
shrine.
The
steps
are
wide
and
easy
to
climb
even
for
children
or
the
elderly.
For
practical
reasons,
I
assume
that
the
worship
hall
is
where
regular
parishioners
go
to
make
an
offering
and
pray,
instead
of
going
all
the
way
to
the
top.
From
the
worship
hall,
there
are
two
sets
of
very
steep
stone
stairs
for
a
total
of
320
stone
steps.
The
first
set
of
stairs
is
slightly
better
maintained
and
not
to
difficult
to
climb
compared
with
the
second
set
of
stairs.
When
you
reach
the
second
set
of
stone
stairs,
you
can
see
that
the
handrail
is
a
bit
older,
a
bit
more
wobbly
and
rudimentary.
Also,
the
stone
steps
are
much
smaller
with
just
enough
space
for
the
forefoot.
The
stone
steps
seem
older
and
in
some
cases
slanting
downwards,
which
can
be
hazardous
if
you
are
climbing
in
inclement
weather.
Just
one
slip
could
be
disastrous
if
you
lost
hold
of
the
railing.
At
the
top
of
the
second
set
of
stairs,
the
trail
widens
up
a
bit
and
mostly
consists
of
a
rocky
path,
worn
tree
roots,
and
less
arduous
than
the
second
set
of
stairs.
No
special
gear
is
needed
for
this
climb.
Good
walking
shoes
with
non-slip
tread
on
the
soles
should
suffice
if
hiking
during
dry
conditions.
Soon
thereafter,
you
will
reach
the
actual
Kumomi-Sengen
Shrine.
At
first
glance,
this
shrine
reminded
me
of
Afuri-Jinja
shrine
on
the
peak
of
Oyama
in
Kanagawa
Prefecture.
In
both
cases,
most
parishioners
or
visitors
wanting
to
offer
a
prayer
do
not
go
all
the
way
to
the
peak
to
visit
the
actual
shrine,
which
would
be
impractical.
Both
this
shrine
and
the
one
at
Oyama
have
worship
halls
or
a
lower
shrine
that
is
much
more
easy
to
access,
more
photogenic,
and
definitely
a
better
draw
for
tourists.
At
Oyama
and
Eboshi,
the
honden
or
actual
shrine
structures
that
house
the
deity
on
the
peak,
seem
to
place
a
greater
emphasis
on
spiritual
value
or
purpose
of
the
structure
instead
of
what
might
draw
new
parishioners
or
tourists,
which
might
explain
why
both
shrines
have
very
simple
architectural
designs
and
are
free
of
any
grandiose
colors
or
overt
ornamental
elements.
Or,
maybe
it's
just
too
expensive
and
difficult
to
build
and
maintain
eye-catching
structures
in
such
remote
locations.
Once
you
reach
Kumomi-Sengen
Shrine,
there
is
a
small,
but
very
steep
set
of
concrete
stairs
to
a
platform
that
is
just
a
a
meter
or
so
higher
than
the
roofline
of
the
shrine.
From
there,
you
have
a
360-degree
view
of
Suruga
Bay
and
the
entire
Kumomi
coastline.
Check
out
the
Pix4Japan
YouTube
channel
for
a
video
of
this
location.
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