Kitaguchi Hongu Fuji Sengen Jinja Shrine is a historical shrine in Yamanashi Prefecture. An older variety of Japanese shrines, it deals with mountain worship, treating Mt. Fuji as a sacred mountain. It is said to have been founded in 110, more than 1900 years ago, under orders from the Emperor, in order to venerate the spirit of Mt. Fuji from afar. It has been of central importance to religious communities called fuji-ko that thrived in the Edo period (1600-1867). The shrine hosts an annual festival called the Yoshida Fire Festival (himatsuri) in August where offerings are made to the deity of the shrine as a token of gratitude.

Photograph provided by Yamanashi Tourism Organization