The Origins of the Name “Zao”
The name “Zao” is traditionally associated with Zao Gongen, a Buddhist deity once worshipped at both the mountain and village shrines. Zao worship developed from ancient Japanese mountain beliefs and the traditions of Shugendo, a form of Japanese mountain asceticism.
For centuries, the mountains of Zao have been regarded as a sacred landscape. Ascetic practitioners, pilgrims, and worshippers traveled into the mountains to practice and pray, helping establish Zao as an important center of mountain religion in northeastern Japan.
The Deities Enshrined at Kattamine Shrine
Amakuni no Mikumari no Kami and Kunikuni no Mikumari no Kami
Kattamine Shrine enshrines two deities associated with water:
- Amakuni no Mikumari no Kami – the deity who governs water from the heavens
- Kunikuni no Mikumari no Kami – the deity who governs water from the earth
The two deities are traditionally regarded as protectors of the water essential to human life and agriculture. Their worship is closely connected with hopes for abundant harvests and blessings from nature.
Zao Worship and the Development of Togatta Onsen
Kattamine Shrine also played an important role in the development of Togatta Onsen. As pilgrims traveled to Mount Zao to worship, the hot spring settlement became a place where travelers could rest and recover after their mountain journeys.
The custom of combining a pilgrimage with a stay at the hot springs gradually became established. Even today, visitors can enjoy both the spiritual atmosphere of Kattamine Shrine and the relaxing hot spring culture of Togatta Onsen in the same trip.
The Seasonal Journey Between the Mountain and Village Shrines
The movement of the sacred object between the Okumiya and Satomiya is one of the most distinctive traditions of Kattamine Shrine. It represents the shrine’s continuing relationship with the natural environment of Mount Zao.
Spring Transfer to the Okumiya
In late April each year, around the time the Zao Echo Line and Zao Highline open for the season, the sacred object is moved from the Satomiya to the Okumiya at the summit of Mount Katta-dake.
Because the mountain remains covered in snow and ice in spring, preparations are required before the shrine can safely receive visitors. Volunteers associated with Osaki Hachimangu Shrine take part in snow-clearing activities, clearing frozen paths and areas around the shrine.
Autumn Return to the Satomiya
In autumn, the sacred object is brought back down from the mountain to the Satomiya. The Shintai Descent Ceremony is held on the first Sunday of October.
This ceremony is an important annual event for local residents and worshippers. It also marks the changing of the seasons in Zao, when the high mountain begins to transition from its summer environment toward the colder months.
A History Rooted in Mountain Worship
Traditional Accounts of the Shrine’s Origins
The exact date when Kattamine Shrine was founded is not known. According to shrine traditions and historical accounts, however, the foundations of Zao worship developed between the Asuka and Nara periods of Japanese history.
One tradition states that in 679, the Buddhist ascetic En no Ozunu brought the worship of Zao Gongen from Mount Yoshino in present-day Nara Prefecture to Mount Fubozan. This story reflects the close relationship between Zao worship and the development of mountain ascetic traditions in Japan.
From the Heian Period to the Warring States Era
During the Heian period, the shrine and the sacred mountains of the region are said to have attracted the devotion of powerful warriors, including Sakanoue no Tamuramaro and Minamoto no Yoshiie.
Throughout the Kamakura and Muromachi periods, worship of Zao continued to spread through the activities of mountain ascetics, local leaders, and religious practitioners. During the Warring States period, the Mogami and Date clans provided protection, helping Zao worship remain an important part of the region’s spiritual life.
The Edo Period and Date Masamune
During the Edo period, Date Masamune, the powerful lord of the Sendai domain, is said to have held Zao worship in high regard and supported the shrine as part of the spiritual protection of the Sendai domain.
During this period, mountain pilgrimages known as oyama-mairi became increasingly popular. More people traveled toward Mount Zao to worship, and Togatta developed as a busy settlement serving pilgrims and travelers.
Changes During the Meiji Period
The religious landscape changed significantly after the Meiji government’s separation of Shinto and Buddhism. The shrine was reorganized from its former connection with Shugendo and Buddhist mountain worship into a Shinto institution.
It was known for a time as Mikumari Shrine before eventually taking the name Kattamine Shrine. Today, it continues to preserve traditions associated with the long history of Zao worship.
Highlights of Kattamine Shrine
Historic Buildings and Cultural Properties
The shrine grounds contain several features that convey its long history. These include the main shrine building where the sacred object is enshrined, a dignified Zuishinmon gate, and traditional ema votive plaques designated as cultural properties by Zao Town.
For international visitors, these features provide an opportunity to experience a traditional Japanese shrine while learning about the distinctive religious history of the Zao mountains.
Gorin-do
Within the shrine grounds is a small shrine known as Gorin-do. Local tradition holds that praying here brings blessings for the healing of skin conditions such as boils and warts.
The small structure was damaged by a severe windstorm in spring 2024. It was subsequently moved to a location along the approach to the shrine in autumn of the same year, where it once again welcomes visitors and worshippers.
Combine a Shrine Visit with Zao Sightseeing
Kattamine Shrine is located in an area that makes an excellent base for exploring the attractions of Mount Zao. A visit can easily be combined with a relaxing stay at Togatta Onsen, a drive along the Zao Echo Line, or a trip to Okama Crater, one of the most famous natural attractions in the Zao mountains.
The combination of shrine worship, mountain scenery, and hot springs offers travelers a chance to experience several aspects of Miyagi’s culture and natural beauty in one journey.
How to Get to Kattamine Shrine
By Public Transportation
From Shiroishi-Zao Station on the JR Tohoku Shinkansen or Shiroishi Station on the JR Tohoku Main Line, take a Miyako Bus bound for Togatta Onsen. The journey takes approximately 50 minutes. Get off at the Togatta Onsen bus stop.
From Sendai Station, highway buses to Togatta Onsen take approximately 72 minutes. The bus stop is convenient for exploring both the shrine and the surrounding hot spring town.
By Car
By car, Kattamine Shrine is approximately 30 minutes from the Murata Interchange or Shiraishi Interchange on the Tohoku Expressway.
From the Miyagi-Kawasaki Interchange on the Yamagata Expressway, the shrine can be reached in approximately 20 minutes via National Route 457.
Experience the Spiritual Heritage of Mount Zao
Kattamine Shrine at Togatta Onsen is more than a historic Shinto shrine. It is a place where the traditions of mountain worship, the natural environment of Mount Zao, and the history of the surrounding hot spring town come together.
The relationship between the Okumiya on Mount Katta-dake and the Satomiya in Togatta is particularly distinctive. The seasonal movement of the sacred object shows how deeply the shrine’s traditions are connected to the mountain and its changing seasons.
For travelers exploring Miyagi, visiting Kattamine Shrine together with Togatta Onsen and the scenic attractions of Mount Zao offers a meaningful way to discover the region’s spiritual traditions, history, mountain landscapes, and hot spring culture.