Haguro Shrine, Shinobuyama

A 12-metre waraji for the Niō's foot: half in winter, half in August since 1970.

Haguro Shrine stands on one of the three peaks of Mount Shinobu – 275 metres, in the heart of Fukushima, related to the Dewa Sanzan pilgrimage shrines. Kept here is a waraji, a straw sandal, 12 metres long, cut to the size of the foot of the Niō guardians: one half is carried in procession in the February winter rite, the Shinobu Sanzan Akatsuki Mairi, and the other half in the August Fukushima Waraji Matsuri, which began in 1970, so that at the end of summer the pair is complete again. From the mountain's viewpoints, including the one at Toriwazaki, you can see the city below and the Tōhoku Line shinkansen going past.

One of the three Shinto shrines on the summit of Mount Shinobu, the hill that is the symbol of Fukushima, 275 metres high and as wide as the perimeter of the Imperial Palace in Tokyo.

ℹ️ The mountain is a public park with several viewpoints, open at all times and with no ticket. The winter rite is held in February: check the date. In 2026 the summer Fukushima Waraji Matsuri is held from 7 to 9 August along National Route 13, in the city centre.

🚉 Bijutsukan-Toshokan-mae · 26 min walk

Sources: ja.wikipedia.org · tif.ne.jp

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