The Forest of the Withering Wind
At Kawajima, located just before the Warashina River—the largest tributary of the Abe River—joins the Abe River, the forest forms a hill shaped like an upturned bowl, and the small island is covered in trees.Since the time of *The Pillow Book*, this place has been cherished as a poetic landmark in Suruga Province. Additionally, the “Kogare-mori Monument,” a stone stele inscribed with text composed by Motoori Norinaga, stands within the forest.
Within Kogare-no-Mori, you can see stone steps and a torii gate. At the summit stood Kogare Hachiman Shrine, where the Hachiman deity was enshrined; however, due to repeated natural disasters and the difficulty of visiting the site, the divine image was transferred to Hatori Hachiman Shrine. Every year around September, a festival is held where the Hachiman deity returns from Hatori Hachiman Shrine to Kogare-no-Mori for a “homecoming.”
Because it is located in the middle of a river, there are no parking lots nearby, and since no bridge has been built to cross to Kogare no Mori, visitors must wade through the river to reach it. It is a mysterious, hidden gem in Shizuoka.
Themes
- The Forest of the Withering Wind
Basic Information
- Address
- Hatori, Aoi Ward, Shizuoka City, Shizuoka Prefecture 421-1215
- Telephone Number
- 054-251-5880 (Suruga Planning and Tourism Bureau)（(Suga Planning and Tourism Bureau)）
- Access
[Car]
We do not recommend visiting by car, as there is no parking available.[Public Transportation]
Take the Shizutetsu Just Line Warashina Line and get off at "Hori Junior High School Mae," then walk 10 minutes; or take the Makigaya Line and get off at "Makigaya," then walk 5 minutes.
*Please note that business hours, holidays, and prices are subject to change, so please check with the contact information provided before visiting.
