Akagami Shrine Goshado Hall (Oga City, Akita Prefecture)

The five shrine halls (Goshado) of Akagami Shrine built in the Edo period stand side by side. The shrine is located at the top of 999 stone steps, which according to legend were built in a single night by an ogre. Because of this legend, Akagami Shrine is well-known as a place associated with the Namahage folklore ogres of Oga. Within the grounds of the shrine, there is a mirror-like well where shrine visitors used to see their reflection to predict the year ahead. It is said that the mountain path leading up to Mount Shinzan via these stone steps was an object of worship for the practices of Yamabushi monks. It is now a popular trekking course known as "Oyamakake."