Fujigoko - Part 3: Fuji Sengen Shrine ~ this anomal life.

On the last day of our Fujigoko adventure, we stumble upon a gem.

Check out the previous legs of the trip:

- Zamami Island -
- Fujigoko Part 1 -
- Fujigoko Part 2 -

Accommodation:
Kasuitei Ooya

4025 Funatsu, Fujikawaguchiko, Minamitsuru District, Yamanashi Prefecture 401-0301, Japan

$344 for 2 people

Address to this shrine:
Kitaguchi Hongu Fuji Sengen Shrine
北口本宮冨士浅間神社随神門 Japan, 〒403-0005 Yamanashi Prefecture, Fujiyoshida, Kamiyoshida, 5558
http://sengenjinja.jp/

We passed by the shrine by accident, but after seeing the epic tunnel of pine trees leading to the shrine, we had to go in.

Gotta love spontaneous finds.

It was a beautiful shrine! Very majestic.

These are called "senjafuda," translated as "thousand shrine tags."

They bear the name of the worshipper and it's used to commemorate a visit (source: Wikipedia).

What I want to know is...how do they get it up there?

I think this was my favourite shrine in Japan, mainly because it wasn't overrun by tourists and was quite peaceful.

This is the chozuya or temizuya, the purification fountain that you will find at all Shinto shrines.

You're supposed to rinse both hands with the handle provided, some also will scoop water into their palm and rinse their mouth (don't drink the water though). However, I observed that not everyone is obliged to do this (I did not since I am Catholic).

Notice the shimenawa hanging from the frame. It is used to mark a boundary to something sacred.

A box filled with omikuji--fortunes. It can range from "great blessing" to "great curse."

After receiving your fortune, you tie it up here so that you will either receive the good fortune or avert the bad fortune (source: Japan Guide)

That massive tree really sets for a great scene.

These are ema--shrine goers write their wishes on here and leave them hanging so that their wishes might come true.

To our surprise, there was a wedding happening!

We were very blessed to be able to witness something like this.

Though I do feel like a stalker taking pictures of them...

They proceeded to take photos in the shrine grounds. A very special moment indeed.

I love the colours in the shrines. There's always pops of red everywhere.

A couple praying.

A shrine maiden.

Sake barrels.

The pillars of pine trees really makes this shrine unique.

I'm not exactly sure what these boards say but I think they're names and dates of people who have significantly donated to the shrine.

I think this one is similar to the one above but I can't be sure.

Even the sewer cover looks epic.

Extras from my phone:

I found this really cool. A great personal touch by Kasuitei Ooya.

Our traditional Japanese room at Kasuitei Ooya.

The traditional yukata provided for our stay. No, you cannot bring these home.

I'm sure that they discourage drying your clothes outside but our clothes were extremely soaked from visiting Shiraito Falls earlier that day.

A rice cake I bought from the convenience store. I am not sure if you're supposed to eat the leaf or not...

The beautiful hallways of Kasuitei Ooya.

Views from the outdoor balcony in our hotel.

Rare selfie.

We walked around our hotel to find a quick bite. I believe it was called Restaurant Konami but I am not completely sure. I got the grilled yamame trout set as it is a specialty in the Fuji Five Lakes.