National Treasure : Nishina Shinmei Shrine

Omachi City, Nagano Prefecture: National Treasure Nishina Shinmei Shrine -長野県大町市 : 国宝　仁科神明宮-

Table Of Contents

• National Treasure Nishina Shinmei Shrine Location -国宝 仁科神明宮 所在地-
• National Treasure Nishina Shinmei Shrine Grounds Map -国宝 仁科神明宮 境内案内図-
• Prohibited actions within the shrine -神社内での禁止行為-
• The oldest Shinto shrine in Japan -日本最古の神明宮造り-
• The sacred grove of Nishina Shinmei Shrine -仁科神明宮の社叢（しゃそう）-
• Main deity: Amaterasu Omikami -主祭神（しゅさいじん）： 天照皇大神-
• Nishina Shinmei Shrine Goshuin -仁科神明宮 御朱印-
• Amulet -お守り-
• Shikinen Seisen-sai (Periodic Relocation and Transfer of the Shrine) -式年正遷宮祭-
• Walking video of the National Treasure Nishina Shinmei Shrine -国宝 仁科神明宮 散策動画-
• Summary -総括-

National Treasure Nishina Shinmei Shrine Location

Prohibited actions within the shrine

*Please note that pets are not allowed on the grounds of the National Treasure Nishina Shinmei Shrine.
Reason: It is said to be to protect valuable national treasures (shrine architecture) and the shrine grounds from pet waste such as marking.

Reason: It is said to be to protect valuable national treasures (shrine architecture) and the shrine grounds from pet waste such as marking.

If you are traveling with a pet such as a dog, you will need to either have them wait in the car or consider other locations where pets are allowed.
As this is a sacred place with the oldest Shinto architectural style in Japan, please observe the rules when visiting.
In many Shinto shrines, pets (especially dogs) are generally prohibited from entering the grounds due to the traditional belief that four-legged animals are considered “unclean” in Shinto, as well as concerns about manners such as waste disposal.
While shrines like Meiji Jingu and Ise Jingu generally prohibit pets, the number of shrines that allow pets is increasing.
Checking the official website before visiting is essential.

Note: Eating and drinking are generally prohibited within the shrine grounds.

Eating or drinking while walking around within the shrine grounds is generally prohibited, as it is considered an act that defiles the sacred area.
Aside from the Naorai (a celebratory meal after receiving offerings to the gods), enjoy your meals before and after your visit at restaurants or along the approach to the shrine.

National Treasure Nishina Shinmei Shrine Grounds Map -境内案内図-

Nishina Shinmei Shrine has three torii gates: the first torii(一ノ鳥居), the second torii(二ノ鳥居), and the third torii(三ノ鳥居).
Before passing through the torii gate, bow towards the shrine building.
The center of the torii gate and the approach to the shrine is called the “seichu” (正中-せいちゅう-), and it is considered the path of the gods. It is proper etiquette to avoid walking through it when visiting a shrine.
[This is common to many shrines.]

Beware of bears! [熊に注意！-Please remember this Japanese phrase.-]

In Omachi City, Nagano Prefecture, bear sightings have increased sharply in hot spring resorts and residential areas since the latter half of 2025, and there have also been incidents of bears injuring people. As a result, the city and police are calling for strict vigilance and caution.

Bears have been spotted, so please take the following precautions.
・Be especially careful when going out during the early morning and dusk hours, when bears are most active.
・Please ring bells or turn on the radio to let bears know of your presence.
・If you find bear droppings or footprints, turn back.
・If you spot a bear cub, there’s a chance its mother is nearby, so quietly leave the area.
・Please do not throw away food scraps or drinks.
This can attract bears.
Nagano Prefecture, Omachi City – From signs around the temple grounds

Japan’s oldest Shinto shrine architecture -日本最古の　神明宮造り-

The main hall, the fishing hut, and the middle gate are designated as National Treasures.日本最古の神明宮造り-しんめいみやづくり-Apparently it’s a national treasure, but I went there without knowing anything about it. [I didn’t even know about the Shinmei-gu style architecture.](;^ω^)]
It is said to be the only building in Japan built in the Shinmei-zukuri style that is designated as a National Treasure.

The main shrine is three bays wide and two bays deep, built in the Shinmei-zukuri style with a cypress bark roof.
The main gate [Mikadoya] is a four-legged gate [“shikyakumon” or “yotsuashimon”] with a gabled roof and cypress bark roofing.
A fishing shop connects these.

The sacred grove of Nishina Shinmei Shrine -社叢（しゃそう）-

*What is a shrine forest (shasō)? –社叢（しゃそう）とは–
This refers to the forests that grow around the grounds of shrines and temples, or what is known as a “guardian forest.「鎮守の森」”
Because these areas have been protected for many years as sacred sites and have not been cut down, they often retain valuable ecosystems that have grown naturally in those areas since ancient times.
It is said that they play an important role in protecting dignity and tranquility as vessels for the gods.

The three cedar trees immediately to the left upon entering the temple grounds are missing one of the middle trees, but with circumferences of 5.70m and 5.45m at eye level, and heights exceeding 50m, they are very beautiful. (According to the website)
Within the temple grounds, there are said to be over 20 giant cedar trees and over 10 cypress trees, each with a trunk circumference exceeding 2 meters. I felt a sense of history and a very peaceful atmosphere.

Built in 1636, it is the only National Treasure in Japan of the early Edo period, a finely constructed building in the Shinmei-zukuri style.
*Founding -創祀（そうし）-Its origins are unclear, but it is thought to date back to the Heian period.
*Founding -創祀(Sōshi)-The act of building a new shrine or temple to enshrine gods or Buddhas, or the act of beginning a worship service.

Main deity: Amaterasu Omikami
主祭神（しゅさいじん）： 天照皇大神

Amaterasu Omikami is the sun goddess in Japanese mythology, the ancestral deity of the Imperial family, and the supreme deity who rules Takamagahara.
It is enshrined at Ise Grand Shrine (Naiku) and is revered as the god of light, compassion, and truth.
To begin with, I didn’t even know the difference between a Shinmei-gu shrine and a Shinto shrine.
The National Treasure Nishina Shinmei Shrine is a shrine dedicated to Amaterasu Omikami, and it is said to be called Shinmei Shrine because it refers to a specific lineage of shrines whose head shrine is Ise Grand Shrine in Mie Prefecture.

Approximately 20 smaller shrines (境内社:keidaisha) are enshrined around the main shrine dedicated to Amaterasu Omikami.
Nishina Shinmei Shrine is surrounded by giant cedar and cypress trees, creating a very sacred and peaceful space.

This shrine is located in a place where you can see the Northern Alps mountain range in the distance.

Nishina Shinmei Shrine Goshuin
仁科神明宮 御朱印

Amulet
お守り

I learned after my visit that the National Treasure Nishina Shinmei Shrine (Omachi City, Nagano Prefecture) is known for granting wishes, and that they offer “happiness charms” and the popular “happy yellow charm” especially among women.
The shrine office is open from around 9 am to 4 pm, but please note that it is closed during the winter months (mid-January to mid-March).
Popular charms: Luck charm, yellow charm.

Shikinen Seisen-sai (Periodic Relocation and Transfer of the Shrine) -式年正遷宮祭-

The Shikinen Seisen-sai (ceremonial rebuilding of the shrine), which takes place once every 20 years, was last held in 2019 (Reiwa 1).
The next Shikinen Sengu-sai (periodic rebuilding and relocation ceremony) is scheduled to be held in November of Reiwa 21 (2039).
Regarding the Shikinen Sengu (periodic rebuilding of the shrine), following the example of the Grand Shrine of Ise, the shrine buildings have been rebuilt and a rebuilding ceremony held every twenty years.
It is said that all the construction plaques from the second year of the Eiwa era (1376) of the Nanboku-cho period have been preserved.
This continuous service and record-keeping for over 600 years is unparalleled anywhere in the country, and the 27 pieces produced up to 1858 (Ansei 3) at the end of the Edo period have been designated as important cultural properties of Japan.
The Shikinen Seisengu-sai (periodic rebuilding and relocation ceremony) is a ritual in which the sacred object, which had been temporarily housed in a temporary shrine during the construction and repair of the main shrine building, is moved back to the main shrine. It is solemnly conducted by Shinto priests and parishioners in the darkness of the middle of the night, but it is a lively festival in which many men and women from the surrounding area, including parishioners, gather to receive divine revelations.
(Website research National Treasure: Nishina Shinmei Shrine(国宝・仁科神明宮) HP   )

Walking video of the National Treasure Nishina Shinmei Shrine
国宝 仁科神明宮 散策動画

The video pauses are explained in the subtitles.

Summary -総括-

The shrine grounds aren’t very large, but you can go right up to the side of the main hall and feel the divine energy of the mountain behind it as well.
There is a parking lot in front of the shrine, and the toilets in the parking lot were heated and clean, although they did not have bidet toilets (late October 2025: men’s toilet).

The three cedar trees are truly impressive; although the middle one has been cut down, they still have a magnificent presence.

Nishina Shinmei Shrine is surrounded by giant cedar and cypress trees. It’s not particularly large or flashy, but I felt it was a very sacred shrine deeply rooted in the land and its surroundings.
If I ever have the chance to visit again, I’d like to get one of the “lucky yellow charms.”
This time, I happened to go to Nishina Shinmei Shrine by car for other reasons, but you can also access it using the sightseeing bus “Shinano Omachi Gururin-go (信濃大町ぐるりん号)“, which mainly operates during the summer.
For the 2025 season, the traditional sightseeing bus service will be replaced with a demand-responsive taxi service (advance reservation required), making it even more convenient.
Access to Nishina Shinmei Shrine (Gururin Bus) [仁科神明宮へのアクセス（ぐるりん号）]
Operating period: Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays from July 19th, 2025 to October 13th, 2025 (also operating from August 12th to August 15th).
Operating hours: 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM.
How to ride: Book through the dedicated app.
Main boarding locations: Shinano-Omachi Station, Omachi Onsenkyo, etc.
Admission fees: 1-day pass 1,500 yen, single ride ticket 500 yen (free for preschool children).
Shinano-Omachi Gururin Bus (信濃大町ぐるりん号) HP  
I’m not sure about the seasons after 2026, but next time I’m thinking it would be nice to tour the tourist spots in Omachi City on the “Shinano Omachi Gururin-go” bus.

Thank you for watching.