What other travelers are saying about Hodosan Shrine
Absolutely worth coming to see the plum blossoms! It was my first time witnessing such beautiful and fragrant plum blossoms – truly delightful. Taking the ropeway round trip costs 600 yen, and if you come by car, parking is 500 yen. I highly recommend coming here to relax; starting from January, you can enjoy the plum blossoms, and they should be in full bloom by February.
Beautiful, well-maintained shrine. Momiji making it even better. 10-15 min walk from Nagatoro station, slightly uphill. We went on a Saturday morning a bit earlier than most of the crown. At around 11am as we were departing, more people are pouring in so I think it can get crowded on weekend peak hours.
A really well cared for, clean and beautiful. Free parking at the bottom of the shrine. Not very stroller friendly because if the stairs and pebbles so baby carry or walking is best.
Quiet place. The shrine is very beautiful and same with all places in Japan very clean and organize. A lot of parking spots. A quick tour will be sufficient.
Hodosan shrine enshrines the Emperor Jimmu who founded Japan. I instantly felt an atmosphere, enhanced by the shinto music playing on the grounds, as we approached the torii of the shrine.
The benevolence of the shrine is believed to be protection from disasters. It is a common place for hikers to pay homage as one of the three Kami (Gods / Deity) enshrined here is a mountain deity. But it is also because the shrine has a sub branch at the top of Mt Hodo - hikers pray at the base shrine and then climb to the top of Mt Hodo and devote there too.
The architecture of the almost 2000 year old shrine is magnificent. The various auxiliary shrines are impressive too. And the grounds are beautiful. It is easily accessible by public transport too, as you can walk up from Nagatoro station in about 10 to 15 minutes.
