Hello, fellow travel lovers!
This time, I'm taking on the “Three Shrine Pilgrimage” walk through Gifu City to wish for happiness and good fortune! ⛩✨
Started the day with a light taste of Gifu's local flavors at Dormy Inn Gifu.
I planned to walk over 6 km on this day.
First, I picked a light selection of Gifu-style dishes from the Dormy Inn Gifu breakfast buffet.
Their signature pork stew… well, let’s pretend it’s light!
I went for a hearty double rice combo too—yep, light again!
Of course, I kept dessert light too!
I might’ve overindulged a bit… but hey, I had a long walk ahead!
Passing quietly by the deserted Toiya-machi arcade.
Just a short walk from the hotel, I spotted an old arcade street in Toiya-machi.
Shuttered shops lined the street, with no sign of people—pure silence.
Not a single piece of trash in sight—everything was tidy, yet the place felt strangely devoid of any signs of daily life.
Kogane Shrine
📍 About a 12-minute walk from the hotel (approx. 850 meters)
The golden torii gate shining in the morning sun makes a striking impression.
At the purification fountain, a gleaming golden dragon sits in all its glory!
Overwhelmed by its brilliance, I purified my hands—feeling as though my luck had already leveled up.
First, I took a deep breath, bowed respectfully, and wished for a boost in financial fortune.
Since it was still early in the morning, there were few visitors, allowing for a peaceful and unhurried visit.
Kashimori Shrine
📍 About a 13-minute walk (approx. 900 meters) from Kogane Shrine
A small shrine nestled in lush greenery.
At the purification fountain, a lucky frog was waiting?
A relaxed little frog welcomes you with a chill vibe 🐸
It was here that I stumbled upon a fateful poster—and just like that, the “Three Shrine Pilgrimage” mission officially began!?
Realizing that today’s route included all the shrines on the map, I couldn’t help but smirk—“This must be fate.”
Inaba Shrine
📍 About an 18-minute walk (approx. 1.3 km) from Kashimori Shrine.
The final stop on our Three Shrine Pilgrimage was Inaba Shrine, one of Gifu’s most revered and historic shrines.
Said to have been founded over 1,900 years ago, it's affectionately known by locals as "Inaba-san."
The massive torii gate at the entrance exudes a commanding presence—just standing before it makes you instinctively straighten your back, thinking, “This place is something special.”
The approach to the shrine is lined with vibrant red torii gates, creating a stunning scene—especially with the sacred horse (shinme), believed to be the deity’s steed, adding that perfect photo-worthy touch!
The moss-covered stone bridge, gently draped in green, evokes a deep sense of time and tranquility.
*Note: Photography is not allowed beyond this point toward the main hall. Please put away your camera and take a moment for a respectful prayer.* 🙏
Step by step, we climbed the stone stairs—marking the completion of our Three Shrine Pilgrimage.
Looking down from the shrine grounds, the city of Gifu seemed to greet us with a gentle, peaceful gaze.
Bonus Spot: Zenkō-ji Gifu Branch Temple (Ganshō-ji)
Just before reaching Inaba Shrine, I made a quick stop at the Gifu branch of Zenkoji Temple.
Standing quietly behind the purification fountain is the Kitamuki Mizukake Fudō-son (North-facing Water-Splashing Fudō Myōō).
Next to it stands the “Scooping Rice Paddle” (Sukuware Shamoji).
The rice paddle-shaped ema (votive plaques) were hanging in rows, symbolizing the wish to "scoop up" and fulfill one’s dreams.
What started as a quick detour turned into a peaceful moment that made me want to take a deep breath and soak it all in.
Today’s Walking Memo
Total distance walked: approx. 3km
Walking Time: approx. 43 minutes (plus time spent at each site)
From Kogane Shrine to Kashimori Shrine and finally to Inaba Shrine, the route is mostly easy to walk, though there are some slopes and stairs along the way.
It's a perfect route for a morning stroll through Gifu city.
Wrapping up
The Three Shrine Pilgrimage left me feeling refreshed, lucky, and a little more connected to Gifu’s spirit. Here's to more journeys like this!
Up next, another stroll! I'm heading to the Kawaramachi area to enjoy chilled Tanuki soba and some traditional Japanese sweets.
Coming up next: Exploring Kawaramachi!
The journey continues... Wishing you all a wonderful trip! – TabiJun
＊＊TabiJun＊＊
