Haruna Shrine

Matan Katz a week ago

Beautiful, serene and tranquil shrine in the mountains of Takasaki City. This shrine is really old and now undergoing major renovation works. It's still very much worth a visit if you're in the area.

Cameron Burris 9 months ago

The shrine area was magical. It felt like walking into a fairy-tale. Also, I highly recommend the hike from the shrine to Haruna lake. It is difficult, but the view over the lake is amazing.

Mohri Hime a year ago

Not too touristy, 1,300 year old campus of shrines curved out on the side of mountains in Gunma Prefecture. Very somber, impressive buildings - not because they are foiled in gold or they have the record ranking size, but because they have quietly endured the time, and still existing. When I went there, it was the 2nd day of the New Year, and yet still, not too many people were there, daring the bitter cold air of the cedar woods and frozen water falls. I live in western NY, so I know cold - this place carried it's own winter bitter! True to the essence of Shintoism, even the smallest and the most eroded structures are still kept, tendered and their dieties are well respected. A little Cha-Ya (tea house) half way up the lane that's leading up to the main shrine, reminded me of how things were perhaps 1,000 years ago, treating those who have traveled days or weeks, or even month to get there, on foot. ( I'm pretty fit BUT their official "15 minutes to the top shrine" was a bit of a stretch - a handful of really old ladies in their 80- 90 something were walking with a cane, taking rest every few steps up a very steep stone starts) This place is famous for the plums. Their Plum Cake (Ume Manju) was very tasty, with a whole cooked plum inside, wrapped inside of not too sweet red bean paste.

Utkarsh prakash 2 years ago

Gunma prefecture has significant place in the history of japan and Mt. Haruna can be described as the one integrating the harmony and cultural depth of the japanese ethical principles. The shrine itself is complementary to the ethical practice. Very calm, excellent atmosphere and elegant. If you get a chance to visit I recommend to hold some extra time and walk along side ways towards lake haruna. It's simply breathtaking..

Clarel “minnnmina” mina 3 years ago

A very good place to visit for those who are looking for a solemn place to pray. It's my second time to visit this Shrine and it seems the construction is not yet finished so I can't rate it 5 stars. From Takasaki Station, we ride a bus and stop on the foot of the Shrine. When we arrived, there are remains of snow from the last day. It took us 15minutes to reach the Shrine since we enjoyed the scenery Haruna Shrine offers. The road is cemented, there are few sloppy stairs but it's not that hard to ascend. I've seen a shop where you can buy foods in case you've got a hungry stomach. For those who have cars, there is parking near the entrance of of the Shrine.