Futarasan Shrine’s ghost lantern
The shrine grounds, which are only second to Mie Prefecture’s Ise Shrine in size, contain sacred cedar trees which are said to be 1000 years old, and evoke a grandeur with structures such as the main hall and front hall which are among the oldest buildings on Mt. Nikko. Aside from the main shrine, there is Chugushi Shrine north of Lake Chuzenji and a rear shrine on the top of Mt. Nantai. You can get an air that is different when compared to the adjacent Tosho-gu. There is Omotesando Road that connects Nishisando Road, which connects straight from the national highway, and Tosho-gu. Omotesando then splits into Uwashinmichi Road and Shimoshinmichi Road, with the cedar-lined paths giving that divine feeling. On Uwashinmichi, there are 37 stone lanterns that are lined up in an orderly pattern which makes for a popular road to the shrine. Within the shrine gardens, there is the Futara Reisen spring surrounded by large stones. Two streams feed into the spring, one of which (Yakushi Reisui) is from a cave on Mt. Korei. It’s said that drinking from that stream cures any eye diseases. The other stream is the famous water that pours into Tengusawa. It’s been called “The Fountain of Sake” since the quality of the water affects the production of sake. At the adjacent tea room “Azumaya”, you can try drinks that use this water. Right at the entrance, there is a copper lantern which has been called a ghost lantern. When it was lit up, it acted strangely so that the warriors assigned to guard the shrine attacked it, and the lantern has over 70 scars thus giving it its name.
Futarasan Shrine’s sacred trees
There are many cedar trees that have been called sacred trees in Futarasan Shrine. Two of them share one root and stand up against one another so that they are called the husband-and-wife cedars (fuufu sugi), while another three sharing one root have been called the family cedars (oyako sugi). Another group of three cedars have been compared to a goddess descending from Mt. Nyohou, and then just past the large torii gate at the front to the right are the marriage cedars. Watching these cedar trees stretch out straight into Heaven possesses an overwhelming power.