Okuni Shrine

Okuni Shrine is an ancient Shinto shrine in the town of Mori, Shuchi County, Shizuoka Prefecture that was founded over 1,400 years ago; Tokugawa Ieyasu and other leading warlords worshipped here. Along the banks of the Miya River that runs through the Shrine precincts a total of around 1,000 cherry trees (mainly of the Yoshino variety) have been planted, making for spectacular cherry blossom in spring each year. The view of the cherry blossom from the Harai-bashi bridge in front of the Shrine’s entrance is particularly spectacular. The Edo-higan cherry trees in front of the first Torii gate and the weeping cherry trees in front of the Saikan (purification hall) are well worth seeing. The cherry blossom is at its best between late March and early April each year. A “Cherry Blossom Festival” is held in early April, at which the time Okuni Shrine receives large numbers of visitors eager to view the cherry blossom. Toilets and free parking available.