Sacred Forest Path
Nestled in the forested mountains northwest of Nagano City, Togakushi Shrine is a revered Shinto complex comprising five shrines, each steeped in Japanese mythology. The Okusha (Upper Shrine) is particularly renowned for its approach, a two-kilometer path lined with over 300 towering cryptomeria trees, culminating at the thatched-roof Zuishinmon Gate and a series of stone steps leading to the shrine itself. Nearby, Kagami-ike, or "Mirror Pond," offers serene reflections of the Togakushi Mountain Range, especially captivating during the autumn foliage season. Accessible via a 30-minute forest trail from the Chusha (Middle Shrine), the pond is a favored spot for photographers and nature enthusiasts alike.
