After marveling at nature's craftsmanship at Takachiho Gorge, I slowly made my way up the forest trail, surrounded by lush greenery on both sides. In about twenty minutes, I reached Takachiho Shrine, hidden deep among the mountains and secluded valleys.
This ancient shrine, with a history spanning over a thousand years, is the center of faith in Takachiho and carries the solemn spiritual atmosphere of the birthplace of Japanese mythology. The most eye-catching sight at the shrine is a pair of enormous married cedars whose roots are closely intertwined and whose trunks tower into the sky. It's said that holding hands with someone special and walking around them three times will bring good relationships and harmony to the family, so of course I made a wish here too.
The traditional kagura performances held here after dark are very famous. Although I didn't have the chance to visit at night this time, walking through the quiet shrine during the day among moss-covered trees towering overhead, closing my eyes, and feeling its calm, pure, and mysterious power was already the deepest kind of cleansing for both body and mind.
