By ando 
Akagi Jinja (Ohno Akagi Jinja) is located near the summit of Mt. Akagi in Maebashi City, Gunma Prefecture, at an altitude of over 1,300 meters. Its vividly vermilion-lacquered shrine building stands on the shore of Lake Ohno (Ohno), a caldera lake. This place, revered as an object of mountain worship since ancient times, holds countless legends born from its deep history, as well as mysteries that persist to this day.
Basic Information
Location: 4-2 Akagisan, Fujimimachi, Maebashi City, Gunma Prefecture
Enshrined kami: Akagi Daimyojin (Akagi Hime), Okuninushi no kami, Iwatsutsunoo no kami, Iwatsutsunome no kami, and others.
Divine Blessings: Wishes for women (especially matchmaking, safe childbirth, child-rearing), good fortune and warding off evil.
Legend: “Akagi Hime” Who Became a Dragon kami and Her Divine Protection for Women
Akagi Jinja is renowned as a “power spot that grants women’s wishes” due to the legend of “Akagi Hime,” one of the enshrined kami.
Long ago, Akagi Hime, daughter of a court noble named Konohe Taisho Ienari, fled to Mt. Akagi after her stepmother attempted to take her life. There, she was rescued by the Dragon kami of Lake Ohno and is said to have succeeded its power, becoming a kami herself (Akagi Daimyojin). From this legend, Akagi Hime came to be worshipped as a guardian kami for women, and the saying “If a woman makes a wish to the kami of Akagi, it will surely be granted” has been passed down.
Battle of the Kami: Territory Dispute Between Centipede and Snake
On Mt. Akagi, a dramatic legend of a “kami ikusa” (battle of the kami) with Mt. Nantai in Nikko, Tochigi Prefecture, also remains.
The legend says that the kami of Akagi transformed into a “giant centipede” and the kami of Mt. Nantai into a “giant snake” to dispute ownership of Lake Chuzenji. After a fierce battle, the kami of Akagi was defeated, but the site of this battle remains to this day under the name “Senjogahara” (Battlefield Moor).
Mystery: Tokugawa Buried Treasure and Rumors of “Kamikakushi”
When speaking of Mt. Akagi, the “Tokugawa Buried Treasure Legend” is inextricably linked. There is a theory that during the late Edo period, the Edo Shogunate buried military funds in Mt. Akagi, hoping for a restoration of power. Large-scale excavation efforts were carried out from the Meiji era to the Heisei era. Although no gold has been found yet, there is a continuous stream of enthusiasts attempting to decipher codes hidden in the terrain around Akagi Jinja and in ancient documents.
Furthermore, in 1998, an inexplicable disappearance occurred when a housewife suddenly vanished while visiting the shrine. Her trail went cold amidst many other worshippers, leading some occult and mystery fans to recount it as a modern-day “kamikakushi” (spirited away by kami), adding a strange sense of awe to the tranquil atmosphere of the shrine.
Sacred Site Pilgrimage: Akagi Jinja Featured in Anime
Due to its distinctive terrain, Mt. Akagi has served as the setting for many anime and other works.
‘Initial D’
Famous as the home base of the “Akagi RedSuns” led by the Takahashi brothers. Rather than the jinja itself being the direct setting, the mountain pass leading to the jinja has become a sacred site for fans, with a continuous stream of visitors coming for both shrine visits and scenic drives.
‘Yama no Susume’
In this mountaineering-themed work, Akagi Jinja appears in an episode where the protagonists visit Mt. Akagi. The red “Kitsutsuki Bridge” spanning Lake Ohno and the shrine grounds are faithfully depicted, making it an irresistible spot for fans.
‘Maebashi Witches’
Even in this original anime set in Maebashi City, Mt. Akagi and its surrounding landscapes are depicted. As a work closely tied to the local area, it has become a new base for sacred site pilgrimages.
‘Kantai Collection -KanColle-‘
Due to the origin of the ship’s name, fans of the aircraft carrier “Akagi” are often seen visiting Akagi Jinja as the original shrine from which the “shipboard shrine” was branched off.
Points to Consider When Visiting
The contrast between the vermilion shrine building standing by the lake and Mt. Kurobi towering in the background offers a magnificent view throughout all four seasons. In winter, especially, the frozen Lake Ohno and the shrine building glistening in the snow create a magical scene, but it is extremely cold, so warm clothing is essential.
Akagi Jinja, where legends, mysteries, and the world of anime intersect. Step inside, and a mystical experience that will make you forget the everyday awaits you.
Related Links / References
[1] ERROR: The request could not be satisfied
[2] YouTube
[3] Tokugawa Buried Treasure – Wikipedia
[4] https://www.maebashi-cvb.com/spot/8674
[5] Clouds Floating on the Water: Mt. Akagi and the Hime Legend
[6] The Legend of Akagi’s Three Hime | Ann’s Small House and a Bit of Spirituality
[7] Neko-kun’s [Urban Legend Verification] Series 1 [Does the Tokugawa Buried Treasure Really Exist? Thorough Verification of the Urban Legend!] – Isekai Tsushinsha x Zakkuri Zatsugakudo
[8] Series [Excavating the Truth] #2 Akagi Jinja Housewife Disappearance Case : Noteworthy Cases
[9] #14 Does the Tokugawa Buried Treasure Really Exist?–The Fate of the Lost 4 Million Ryo [History Mystery Readable in 5 Minutes] | Masahiko Hoshino