Nasu Travel Virtual Tours Simple travel guide to things to do, eat, and see in Nasu, Japan

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Let’s Enjoy Nasu with Kaori! — Welcome to Nasu Kuni no Miyatsuko-hi (Kasaishi Shrine), a National Treasure that you should see at least once.

Nasu Kuni no Miyatsuko-hi (Kasaishi Shrine)

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This National Treasure is something you should see at least once in your life.
Nasu Kuni no Miyatsuko-hi is the oldest of Japan’s three ancient stone monuments and is designated as a National Treasure.

▼ Virtual View (Surroundings)

You can see the monument and its surroundings with Google Street View.

▼ Kaori's Report

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Nasu Kuni no Miyatsuko-hi is the oldest of Japan’s three ancient stone monuments. It is designated as a National Treasure.

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The priest of Kasaishi Shrine takes care of the monument.
It is called a shrine, but there is no normal shrine precinct, and priests from one family have long lived nearby to protect the stone.

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Many materials are displayed on the veranda. If you pay a 500 yen fee, the priest explains and shows you the monument.
The priest who guided us on this visit was the 18th generation guardian of the stone.
He said with joy that the 19th generation is already working, and the 20th is still a student.

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People found the stone lying face down in the grass in 1683 (Tenna 3).
To protect it, they built a hall under the direction of Sassa Kesaburō Muneyasu, known as “Suke-san” in the Mito Kōmon stories.

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After you hear about the history of the monument, the priest guides you to the hall where it is kept.
Even with a cane, the 83-year-old priest walks with a steady step, showing pride and dignity as a guardian of the stone.

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Inside the hall stands the monument, with 152 characters in 8 lines clearly cut into the stone.
When you see it close up, the characters are so clear that it is hard to believe 1,300 years have passed. They almost look alive, and I felt very moved.
It is a National Treasure that you should see at least once in your life.


(Kaori's Highlights)

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People found the monument lying face down in the grass, so the carved characters are still in very good condition.
It is one of only four stone monuments in Japan that are National Treasures, so it is very precious.
I feel deep respect for the priest’s ancestors, who have protected it for generations.
The characters on the stone feel like a letter sent from the past. It is very romantic.

▼ Contact Information


[Phone] +81-287-98-2501


[Address] 430 Yuzukami, Yuzukami-mura, Nasu-gun, Tochigi


[More Info.] info Opening hours and details

▼ Map


You can check the exact location of the monument on the map below.

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