HOME Back

Use the

Planning a Trip to Japan?

Share your travel photos with us by hashtagging your images with #visitjapanjp

Kasugayama-jinja Shrine 春日山神社

Kasugayama-jinja Shrine Kasugayama-jinja Shrine
Kasugayama-jinja Shrine Kasugayama-jinja Shrine

A shrine and ruins atop Mt. Kasuga

Kasugayama Shrine is situated halfway up Mt. Kasuga. It is where the revered General Uesugi Kenshin from the Warring States period (c. 1465 to 1573) used to reside. This wooden shrine was built by the father of Japanese children's storyteller, Mimei Ogawa.

Don't Miss

  • Occasional performances by samurai actors in front of the shrine
  • The annual Kenshinko Festival, where hundreds of samurai actors march the streets in Kasugayama
  • The great views of Joetsu City on top of Mt. Kasuga

How to Get There

You can reach the shrine by train and then by bus or car.

After taking the Hokuriku Shinkansen to Joetsumyoko Station, take the Myoko Haneuma Line to Kasugayama Station. Then, transfer to a Kubiki Bus and get off at Nakayashiki or Kasuga Sanso Mae bus stop. The shrine is a 20-minute or 15-minute walk from each bus stop respectively.

The shrine is a 20-minute drive from the Joetsu-Takada Interchange on the Joshinetsu Expressway. Free parking is available at the bottom of the shrine.

Elements in the shrine

On the shrine grounds, you'll find animal statues that are fairytale motifs and relics and documents that belonged to Uesugi Kenshin.

Trekking up the mountain

If you'd like to get in a little exercise, take a hike up to the top of Mt. Kasuga to look over the city of Joetsu. It is not a difficult hike, and the trail passes through important castle ruins dating back to wartime in the Warring States period.

Surrounding attractions

Nearby Rinsenji Temple is worth checking out since that is where Kenshin studied and trained in military arts.

Kenshinko Festival

Every year in late August, hundreds of samurai actors dress in full armor and march the streets of Kasugayama for the Kenshin Festival, which commemorates Kenshin.

The highlight of the festival is undoubtedly the reenactment of the Kawanakajima Battle; hundreds of actors and horses are involved in this performance.



* The information on this page may be subject to change due to COVID-19.

Recommended for You

Myoko
Joetsu
Mt. Kasuga-yama Area
Mt. Kasuga
  • HOME
  • Kasugayama-jinja Shrine

Please Choose Your Language

Browse the JNTO site in one of multiple languages