Story
Kiso’s Mt. Ontake Reijin’hi Monuments: Erected in the hopes of having one's soul return to Mt. Ontake after death.
Ontake Shrine Satomiya (community shrine): Worshiped at since the late Muromachi period (the 15th-26th century). In the Edo period, the belief in the Ontake Zao Daigongen that sits at the peak of Mt. Ontake spread throughout the country.
Overview
Walking through the gateway and climbing the stone stairway among large trees of hinoki and sawara, you will see the main building of the shrine under a massive rock. The stone stairway from the road has 449 steps. The shrine used to be called Iwatogongen and was a religious spot, one of 38 Ontake shrines, from the late Muromachi period. In the Edo period, the belief in the Ontake Zao Daigongen spread throughout the country.
Points of Interest
Ontake Shrine Soreiden Memorial Service is held on October 23 and 24 every year. According to the religious belief of Mt. Ontake, one’s soul is born in Ontake and returns to Ontake, thus reijin’hi are erected on the foot of Mt.Ontake to comfort the spirits of the ancestors. Kiso Ontake-kyo (religious community) erects Soreiden (memorial monument) in Mitake and carries out a memorial service every year, on behalf of worshipers who cannot erect monuments by themselves.
Shokonsai (soul-welcoming service) is held on the 23rd to welcome souls of the ancestors with fire in front of Kakumeisha near Ontake Shrine Satomiya and to pray for things like family safety. Goshisai (collective enshrining service) is held on the 24th, and worshipers parade with portable shrines from Kakumeisha to Ontake Shrine Wakamiya where the Soreiden stand. A Shinto ritual then takes place at Wakamiya.
Interview
Kiso Mt. Ontake Reijinhi Monuments
Mr. Tetsuya Takei, he is the chief priest of Ontake Shrine
We interviewed Mr. Tetsuya Takei. He is the chief priest of Ontake Shrine.
“There are a fair number of reijin’hi monuments. Some stand in the mountain. The total number is more than 20,000.
They are not gravestones, but stone monuments to comfort spirits.
The monuments are meant to comfort the spirits of Ontake worshipers by showing them that they are always close to the mountain,” he said.
Many monuments can be seen from the road. And you can also see many more as you walk on the old road (mountain trail). I recommend going for a walk in the mountains.”
“You say the monuments are scattered everywhere. Can you tell me the best place to see them?”
“All the monuments are important, but I have one place that I always tell visitors about.”
We saw many reijin’hi monuments on the way to that place. Actually, they can be seen everywhere.
We arrived at the place that he told us about. We really did see a large number of reijin’hi monuments on the way.
Ontake Shrine Satomiya
Mr. Takei continued talking.
“The grounds of Ontake Shrine Satomiya are large. Some people come to pray before they climb Mt. Ontake, because it is a sacred mountain.
I hope tourists will also pay a visit,” added Mr. Takei.
Ontake Shrine Satomiya
“Unsurprising for a shrine, this one has a long and winding history. I often tell tourists about the history.”
“Do you talk to visitors in person?”
“When I’m here, yes, I do. *laughs* All the people here are willing to talk to others, I think.
Satomiya’s stairway has 109 steps. It may be a bit of a challenge, but please come pray at the shrine.”
We had seen the stone steps before we passed under the gateway, but when we actually stood before the steps, they were steeper than they had appeared.
Ontake Shrine Satomiya
Attractions
Ontake Shrine Soreiden Memorial Service is held on October 23 and 24 every year. According to the religious belief of Mt. Ontake, one’s soul is born in Ontake and returns to Ontake, thus reijin’hi are erected on the foot of Mt.Ontake to comfort the spirits of the ancestors. Kiso Ontake-kyo (religious community) erects Soreiden (memorial monument) in Mitake and carries out a memorial service every year, on behalf of worshipers who cannot erect monuments by themselves.
Shokonsai (soul-welcoming service) is held on the 23rd to welcome souls of the ancestors with fire in front of Kakumeisha near Ontake Shrine Satomiya and to pray for things like family safety. Goshisai (collective enshrining service) is held on the 24th, and worshipers parade with portable shrines from Kakumeisha to Ontake Shrine Wakamiya where the Soreiden stand. A Shinto ritual then takes place at Wakamiya.
Access
From the closest station & interchange
From Kisofukushima Station on the JR Chuo Line
50 minutes by bus and walk
From the Ina Interchange on the Chuo Expressway
National road 361, 70 minutes by car
Address
Ontake Shrine Satomiya Office
Otaki Village, Kiso-gun, Nagano Prefecture
Phone:0264-48-2660
