At the base of route is Owase-jinja with its giant camphor tree at the entrance, estimated to be ~1000 years old. The shrine dates from the 8th century, but records have been lost to Tsunamis in 1707 and 1854. The religious beliefs are influence by both Ise and Kumano—the deities are similar to Kumano, but the philosophy of repairing buildings ever 20 years is from Ise. The shrine is famous for its Shishimai lion dance purification rite and massive taiko drum. The energetic Ya Ya Matsuri quarrelling festival takes place over the first 5 days of February where teams of men from different neighborhoods push and shove each other into a frenzy. With over 300 years of history it is probably one of the oldest mosh pits in the world!

There is a large camphor tree said to be more than 1,000 years old on the grounds of Asuka-jinja, and it has a sacred forest where academically important plants grow. There was a wharf here in the Edo Period, which pilgrims are thought to have used for round-trips with Mikisato.