3workerholiday3 埼玉県秩父にある三峯神社に行ってまいりました。
秩父三社の一つに数えられ、全国有数のパワースポットとして人気三峯神社です。
三峯神社は、標高およそ1,100メートルの山の上に鎮座する、かなり神秘的な神社。境内に一歩足を踏み入れた瞬間、空気がピンと張りつめていて、自然と背筋が伸びるような感覚になります。深い森に囲まれているせいか、風の音や鳥の声までもが神聖に感じられました。
この神社の特徴といえば、なんといっても狛犬ではなく「狼（おおかみ）」が守り神として祀られていること。三峯神社では狼は「大神（おおかみ）」と呼ばれ、災いを防ぎ、正しい道へ導いてくれる存在とされています。境内のあちこちに凛々しい狼の像があり、その鋭い目つきに思わず見入ってしまいました。
拝殿は朱色が美しく、山の緑とのコントラストがとても印象的。晴れた日には、遠くの山々まで見渡せる絶景が広がり、「ここまで来てよかった」と心から思える景色です。特に朝や雨上がりは、霧が立ちこめて幻想的な雰囲気になるそうで、次はぜひその時間帯にも訪れてみたいところ。
三峯神社は、仕事運や人生の転機、強い決意を持った願い事にご利益があるとも言われています。観光地というよりは「心を整える場所」という印象が強く、参拝後は不思議と気持ちがスッと軽くなりました。
御朱印はコロナの頃から書置きのみ対応になるそうですが、御朱印にはオオカミ像の絵柄も含まれており、かっこいいです！！
アクセスについては、神社が山の上の方にあるため、正直あまりよくはないです。。。今回は西武秩父駅からさらにバス・車で1時間ほど山道を登る必要があるため 、少々行くのが大変です。自家用車で向かう方も多くいらっしゃいますが、駐車場もかなり混雑しているため、三峯神社付近のところで渋滞していました。バスで行く場合も、車掌さんから三峯神社付近になると降りて歩くことをお勧めされます。
ハイキングと参拝を同時に行っている方も多くいらしたので、今度はハイキングも合わせていくのもいいなと感じました。(運動不足なので。。。)
For foreign country traveler
【Mitsumine Shrine】
I recently visited Mitsumine Shrine, located in Chichibu, Saitama Prefecture.
Mitsumine Shrine is counted as one of the Chichibu Three Shrines and is well known as one of Japan’s leading power spots. Perched on a mountain at an elevation of about 1,100 meters, it is an incredibly mystical shrine. The moment you step onto the grounds, the air feels sharp and charged, and you can’t help but straighten your posture. Perhaps because it is surrounded by deep forest, even the sound of the wind and the birds felt sacred.
One of the most distinctive features of Mitsumine Shrine is that, instead of the usual guardian lion-dogs (komainu), wolves are enshrined as the sacred guardians. At Mitsumine Shrine, wolves are called Okami (Great Deities) and are believed to protect people from misfortune and guide them along the right path. There are dignified wolf statues throughout the grounds, and I found myself drawn to their piercing gazes.
The worship hall, painted in a vivid vermilion, is beautiful, and the contrast with the surrounding green mountains is truly striking. On a clear day, you can enjoy breathtaking views of distant mountain ranges—scenery that makes you think, “I’m so glad I came all this way.” I’ve heard that mornings and the time just after rain are especially magical, with mist rolling in and creating an almost otherworldly atmosphere, so I’d love to visit during that time next.
Mitsumine Shrine is said to bring blessings related to career success, major turning points in life, and wishes made with strong determination. Rather than a typical tourist spot, it feels more like a place to reset your mind. After my visit, I felt strangely refreshed and lighter in spirit.
As for goshuin (shrine stamps), since around the COVID period they have been available only as pre-written stamps. However, the goshuin includes an illustration of a wolf statue, which makes it especially cool.
Regarding access, to be honest, it’s not very convenient since the shrine is located high up in the mountains. This time, I had to travel about an additional hour by bus from Seibu-Chichibu Station, climbing winding mountain roads, which made the trip a bit challenging. Many people also come by private car, but the parking lots get very crowded, and there was traffic congestion near the shrine. Even when taking the bus, the conductor recommended getting off near the shrine and walking from there.
I also noticed many people combining hiking with their visit to the shrine, which made me think that next time it would be nice to do both together—especially since I could use the exercise!
