Gunma Weekend Getaway (Part 4) Haruna Jinja (Part 1) / 群馬小旅行 （パート４） 榛名神社 （パート１）

Leaving Takasaki Kannon to our next destination.  Not the ryokan yet.  First we are going to check out a place called Haruna Jinja.

高崎観音を去って、次の目的地へ。まだ温泉の旅館ではなく、高崎市にある榛名神社を目指す

It was raining when we reached Haruna Jinja but that only added to the atmosphere.  Here is a very short little history which I borrowed from Wikipedia: [Haruna Shrine was founded in 586, the first year of the reign of Emperor Yōmei. During the 14th century it became affiliated with Ueno's Kan'ei-ji. During the Meiji era separation of Buddhism and Shinto, the Buddhist colors were discontinued and the original Haruna Shrine was restored.]

榛名神社に着いた時雨が降りました。 本堂まで行くのは諦めず、雨のせいで良い雰囲気になってました。もっと詳し知りたい人はネットで検索： http://www.haruna.or.jp/

I didn't know Gandalf was in Japan!  / おう、〝ロード・オブ・ザ・リング”に出てるガンダルフじゃない。

Its a short hike up to the main shrine / 本堂まで着くのは結構歩く

Lets see how many of the Seven Lucky Gods of Fortune are here at Haruna Jinja.  The first one I came across was Hotei, the fat and happy god of abundance and good health.

榛名神社に七福神が居るかも。最初に出会ったのは布袋。日本人は大体分かってるのだ、日本の説明はしません。

The next one I came across was Fukurokuju, god of happiness, wealth, and longevity.

次出会ったのは福禄寿。

Our third Lucky God of the day - Ebisu, god of fishers or merchants.

三人目の七福神は恵比寿だ！

This is not one of the Lucky Gods of Fortune, but it is a monument to....tomatoes!!

これは七福神ではありません。 トマトの石碑だ！！

Still haven't reached the main shrine / 本堂にまだ着いてません

Just love this atmosphere / やっぱりこの雰囲気好き

Sae or Sai no Kamisha / 塞（さえ）（さい）の神社

Apparently this door that is built into the wall of the mountain is called a toumendo.

岩にはめこまれた扉は東面堂（とうめんどう）というらしい。 サインに書かれてた。

The only goddess among the Seven Lucky Gods of Fortune - Benzaiten or Benten, goddess of knowledge, art and beauty, and especially music.

また出会いましてね、七福神の女神 － 弁財天。

Mannensen, apparently a well filled with blessed water (or something like that anyway).

萬年泉, 井戸みたいなものですね。

Oh no!!  Stairs!!  I think we're getting close to the main shrine.

ゲッ！ 階段だ！ 本堂に近付いてることだ！

Nice little waterfall / 綺麗な滝

Haruna Jinja's Yatate Japanese Cedar Tree / 榛名神社の矢立杉

Just a little further / あとちょっとだ

 
 










I love the dragons carved into the door panels on the gate that leads to the main shrine.

門の扉に刻んでる龍は素晴らしい。

Passing the gate led to more stairs / 門を通ったら、また階段でした


We shall continue the tour next time.

榛名神社探索まだつづく。。。