Across Chiba Prefecture, whispers of “Hagoromo no Matsu” carry on the wind. This isn’t just any tree. Hagoromo no Matsu at 衣衣の松 is linked to the celestial maiden and her magical feathered robe. The very name 衣衣の松 evokes images of this ethereal garment. This specific pine, now in its third generation, replaced the original tree where the celestial maiden supposedly hung her hagoromo. It’s a yorishiro, a physical object representing a divine spirit. The deities Mihotsuhiko-no-mikoto and Mihotsuhime-no-mikoto are said to descend here at 衣衣の松’s Miho Shrine. The deities are welcomed through the “Kami no Michi”, a 500-meter path lined with ancient pines, some 200 to 400 years old. Walking boards protect their venerable roots. Imagine walking this path, surrounded by these majestic trees, the air alive with history and myth. This sacred ground leads to Miho Shrine. The shrine’s exact origins are shrouded in mystery, though the Engishiki, an ancient Japanese text from 927, places it firmly in history. This suggests at least 1,000 years of continuous presence at 衣衣の松. Miho Shrine honors the divine couple Mihotsuhiko-no-mikoto and Mihotsuhime-no-mikoto. It’s a place known for blessings upon married couples and as a power spot for matchmaking. Perhaps a piece of the hagoromo itself resides here. 衣衣の松 stands as a testament to the enduring power of legend and belief.
Yamakura Dam
Here, before us, lies the Yamakura Dam. Did you know it is home to Japan’s largest floating solar power plant?