S P O T ／ SPOT-140
Sengu Shrine & Sarushinseki (Monkey God Stone)
仙宮神社・猿神石せんぐうじんじゃ・さるしんせき
An ancient shrine in Kawachi, Minami-Ise Town in Watarai District. Perched atop a roughly 70-meter hill, the main hall is reached by a flight of over 360 stone steps that begin beside the sacred 'Tree of Resurrection' (a Bakuchi tree). On the rocky slope behind the main hall, a massive rock outcrop known as 'Sarushinseki' (Monkey God Stone) bears a profile resembling a monkey's face, said in local tradition to be the deity Sarutahiko transformed into stone to guard the land. The iwakura (sacred rock) group behind the main hall is an ancient ritual site that has yielded many artifacts and is designated a cultural property as a shrine archaeological site. The picture-tablet hall displays paintings inspired by the Hyakunin Isshu poems and the Tale of the Heavenly Rock Cave.
H I G H L I G H T S
Highlights
- 01'Sarushinseki' (Monkey God Stone): a massive iwakura associated with Sarutahiko
- 02Iwakura group behind the main hall — an ancient ritual site with abundant excavated artifacts, designated as a cultural property
- 03Sacred 'Tree of Resurrection' (Bakuchi tree) and the 360-plus stone steps
A C C E S S ／ M E T A
Essentials
- Location
- Mie Prefecture Minami-Ise, Watarai District
- Address
- 三重県度会郡南伊勢町河内77
- Fee
- 無料・境内自由
- Hours
- 境内終日自由（社務所は日中）
- Status
- 現存