Togakushi Okusha Shrine

Our final stop for the day was Togakushi Shrine. The shrine complex actually spans the entire mountain over seven shrines, and we were heading to the one at the very top.

The weather was sublime. Didn't even need a coat! And the snow... The snow! It was well and truly there. Dai explained that we were actually walking along snow that was well over a metre compacted in.

This was a 2km walk up to the gate and cedar trees. It was stunning. Tourists and visitors, but honestly, very minimal in the grand scheme of themes. So much so that you had huge chunks of empty footpath to play with for photos.

Unfortunately, disrespectful tourists did poo poos (literally) in the shrine complex at the top as well as other feral shenanigans so the Japanese government was like, stuff you all, no shrine or cedar trees for anyone. So you could only go up to the main gate and about eight metres into the very base of the area. In saying that... It was gorgeous. The contrasts of the bare trees with the cedar trees and the snow and the gate... So stunning!

Very grateful for our crampons here, as the snow was punchy!Read more