Futarasan Jinja (二荒山神社) is located near the famous Nikko Toshogu Shrine in the heart of Nikko. It is actually older than its more ornate neighbor, having been founded in 782 by the Buddhist monk Shodo Shonin - the figure who introduced Buddhism to Nikko and also established the nearby Rinnoji Temple.

The shrine is dedicated to Nikko’s three sacred mountains: Mount Nantai, Mount Nyoho, and Mount Taro. In fact, the name “Futarasan” is another name for Mount Nantai, the tallest and most prominent of the three.

Entry to most of the shrine grounds is free, except for a small paid area to the left of the worship hall (Haiden). This section includes a quiet wooded garden, several additional halls, a spring, ancient sacred trees, and a closer view of the main hall (Honden), which is located behind the worship hall.

About a kilometer from the shrine stands the famous Shinkyo Bridge - considered part of the shrine complex and well worth a visit.

There are also two additional Futarasan shrines located in the surrounding mountains: one at the summit of Mount Nantai, and another on the northern shore of Lake Chuzenji, at the foot of the mountain. The trail to climb Mount Nantai begins from the shrine near the lake.