Tucked deep in the mountains of Hanno, Saitama, Nenogongen Tenryuji is one of those rare temples where Shinto and Buddhist worlds overlap. At the entrance, a bright red torii gate (a traditional Shinto gate marking sacred ground) leads toward a a weathered Sanmon, the wooden gateway typical of Buddhist temples and a Niomon guarded by two fierce statues. Together, they trace the layers of faith that have shaped the site for centuries, reflecting how both religions once coexisted before the Meiji government pushed to separate them.
The temple is dedicated to the deity of mobility, which explains the enormous metal waraji sandals on site — modeled after traditional straw ones once woven from vines.
Said to be the biggest in the world, they’re believed to protect travelers and strengthen legs. Nearby, a lone giant red high heel adds an odd, modern twist to the grounds.
Keep walking past the main area and you’ll find the temple’s most haunting feature: a pair of massive white hands rising from the forest floor. Their smooth, bright surface contrasts with the moss and bark around them, turning strangely uncanny the closer you get.
Getting there consists of an almost four-hour trip from Tokyo, with a steep 1 hour 45-minute hike from Shomaru Station. Luckily, a local community shuttle called the Okumusashi Rakuraku Kotso Mobility Port, run by the Okumusashi Green Resort NPO, offers rides between the station and the temple for ¥500 one way.
Reservations need to be made at least a day in advance by calling 090-2617-4362.