Ghosts, Yokai, and Spiders, oh my!
Taki Shrine (瀧神社), located in Mino, Gifu Prefecture, looks as though it has been reclaimed as a part of nature with moss covering most of the buildings, torii gates, and statues. The drive to the shrine is quite easy from Nagoya or Gifu City. However, you should mentally prepare yourself for narrow, winding roads.
Furthermore, the area is well-known for tales of yōkai and spirits. Yokai (妖怪) are supernatural entities in Japanese lore. They are described as having animal-like, human-like, or natural images while others have no specific image or are shapeshifters. People often use yokai to account for unexplainable things. They are similar to nymphs or ghosts in other cultures.
Legend holds that the founder of the temple was hunting spirits in the forest. The mountain on which the shrine now sits was covered with a black cloud. He prayed to the gods for help to remove the evil and mischievous spirits from the area. After shooting an arrow into the cloud, it disappeared allowing him to reach the waterfall. Taki Shrine was established and still to this day many believe that it has a mystic quality. The cave closest to the shrine is said to be inhabited by various yokai and spirits. While I experienced nothing supernatural, I can confirm that it has a magical aura and atmosphere.
When you arrive at the shrine, you have two options. You can either park down the hill from the shrine or at the main buildings near the top of the hill. As a word of caution, I passed the lower entrance because it is not clearly marked. I also felt sheer terror driving to the main buildings. Not only were the roads incredibly narrow but there was no railing protecting drivers from plummeting over the edge if one wrong move was made. By the time I reached the parking lot, I was prepared for anything.
I paid my respects to the gods and guardians at the small, simple shrine before hiking around the area. In front of the shrine is a massive staircase that leads to a moss-covered torii gate at the foot of the hill. Numerous spiders and bees lurked around the staircase. Some of the spiders terrified me while others intrigued me with their beautiful webs. While I typically hate being confronted by spiders, I’ve learned to appreciate them, especially in nature.
Once I reached the bottom of the staircase, I was greeted by two green moss-covered guardians and a large torii gate. The image was picturesque. Many times, I am disappointed by sites I’ve found on Instagram (e.g., Monet’s Pond). However, this one did not bring any negative feelings or frustration as I walked through the lush green grass and the trees. While I didn’t see any ghosts or yokai, the magic was real. For a moment, I disappeared into an enchanted land and breathed new air.
When visiting this shrine, be prepared for a small hike and physical activity. I consider myself fit. However, the combination of stairs and humidity pushed my cardio abilities a bit. Yet, I can guarantee that it is worth it.
After enjoying Taki Shrine, you can easily visit one of the other nearby shrines or go to Seki to check out the Traditional Sword-smith Museum. There are numerous hiking trails and other beautiful places in the area as well. There aren’t many restaurants or businesses near the shrine so it’s good to plan lunch before or after your visit.
