A Shrine in the Foothills

These twelve-hundred-year-old cedar trees and barrels of rice wine are ensconced in a prominent Asama shrine in the northern foothills of Mt. Fuji. After a massive eruption buried the region's ancient sea in the year 864, this shrine and others like it were built all over Japan in the hopes of making up for the lack of worship that led to Mt. Fuji's indignant outburst.

I'm hoping to spend some more time hiking in and exploring Yamanashi prefecture this year. The natural calm and ancient charm of its moorish landscape has enchanted me entirely! I'm lucky enough that it isn't too far of a drive from home, and I was told that there's a nice campground near this shrine in particular. Also apparently there's a waterfall nearby that I maddeningly just happened to miss and will make sure not to miss again!