Togakushi’s Historical Preservation Districts

The monzen-machi villages of Chusha and Hokosha at Togakushi hold the largest concentration of shukubo pilgrim inns in one place in Japan. Many date to the Edo period and are still in service; the Gokui inn has been operating for 400 years. Both villages are designated Important Preservation Districts. Hokosha Shrine, established in 1058, has zodiac animal carvings on its walls and an interior stage for the kagura dance depicting the Ama no Iwato legend. Around Chusha Shrine stand three Japanese cedar trees estimated at over 800 years old, arranged in a perfect triangle with the wooden torii gate at the center.