Aokigahara — Whispers of the Jukai

Your journey begins at Fujisan Hongū Sengen Taisha, in Fujinomiya, a Shinto shrine built in the 9th century to appease the deity of Mount Fuji, Sengen Ōkami. This site, a spiritual gateway to the sacred volcano, is an essential pilgrimage spot for followers of shugendō, an ascetic tradition. Here, you perceive the importance of nature in Japanese cosmology, where every element, from Mount Fuji to water sources, is imbued with divine power. The shrine is a starting point for understanding Shizuoka's integration into the sacred routes of Chubu and the influence of ancient beliefs on the landscape.

A short walk from the shrine, Wakutama Pond, fed by underground waters of Mount Fuji, offers a clarity that has always been considered purifying. Pilgrims would cleanse themselves here before embarking on the sacred ascent. This pond, mentioned in 12th-century narratives, illustrates the veneration for springs and lakes, perceived as gateways to the spiritual world. The purity of its waters symbolizes the quest for purification you undertake as an onmyōji, a direct link to the ancestral rituals practiced in Fujinomiya, in the very heart of Shizuoka.

The Shiraito Falls, near Fujinomiya, are a series of waterfalls where water flows in fine streaks, resembling white silk threads. They served as a place of meditation and asceticism for Buddhist monks and shugenja since the 14th century. The poet Matsuo Bashō, in the 17th century, is said to have contemplated these falls, finding inspiration in their incessant flow. These cascades, an integral part of the Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park, connect you to the primal force of water, a key element for your mission of harmonizing energies in the Chubu region.

Fugaku Fuketsu Wind Cave, in Fujikawaguchiko, is a volcanic cave formed by Mount Fuji's eruptions approximately 1,150 years ago. Used as a natural ice and silkworm egg storage until the early 20th century, it testifies to human ingenuity in facing nature's challenges. Its dark, cold galleries were also associated with yōkai, creatures from Japanese folklore. This cave, located in close proximity to the Aokigahara Forest, prepares you for the darker mysteries that reside in the depths of Shizuoka's nature.

Your quest concludes at the Mount Fuji World Heritage Centre, in Shizuoka, a modern building designed to celebrate Mount Fuji's inscription as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2013. This center offers a contemporary perspective on the sacred mountain, while respecting its millennia-old history. After visiting the sites that embody the spirituality and legends of Chubu, this place allows you to synthesize the knowledge gained. You leave with a profound understanding of the whispers of the Jukai and the delicate balance between humans and nature, ancient wisdom still relevant in modern Japan.