20 Shrines in Kagoshima worth your time

A historic shrine at the foot of Mount Kaimon, serving as the highest-ranking shrine of the former Satsuma Province.

What it is

• The highest-ranking shrine, or Ichinomiya, of the former Satsuma Province.
• Dedicated to the main deity Ohirume no Muchi no Mikoto.
• First mentioned in historical records in the year 860.
• Originally situated at the southern foot of Mount Kaimon before moving north.

What to see

• The main hall donated by Shimazu Yoshihiro in 1610 and renovated in 1787.
• A designated Tangible Cultural Property of Kagoshima within the shrine grounds.
• A nationally designated Important Cultural Property lacquer box housed on-site.
• The Okumiya shrine located at the summit of Mount Kaimon.
• Views of the surrounding landscape from the northern foot of the mountain.

Getting there

• Located near Kaimon Station on the Ibusuki Makurazaki Line.

Read more about Hirasaki Shrine

A historic shrine in Aira City featuring a 700-year-old ginkgo tree and rituals restored by the Shimazu clan.

What it is

• Founded around 1282 by Zenhoji Ryosei with spirits from Iwashimizu Hachiman Shrine.
• Dedicated to the enshrined deities Emperor Ojin and Empress Jingu.
• Formerly ranked as a district shrine also known as Nabekura Hachiman or Chosa Hachiman.
• Rituals were restored by Shimazu Yoshihiro after the Battle of Sekigahara.

What to see

• A massive ginkgo tree over 700 years old designated as a natural monument.
• Thirty-six immortal poets tablets donated by Shimazu Yoshihiro in 1604.
• Traditional architecture housing spirits from one of Japan's major Hachiman shrines.

When to go

• October 25 for the Hamahudari ritual, an intangible folk cultural property.

Read more about Hachiman Shrine

Wake Shrine honors Wake no Kiyomaro, featuring unique boar statues and historical monuments.

What it is

• A Shinto shrine established in March 1946.
• Dedicated to the deity Wake no Kiyomaro.

What to see

• Boar statues stand in front of the worship hall.
• Live white boars named Ai-chan and Wake-chan.
• A pine tree planted by Shimazu Nariakira in 1853.
• Monument commemorates Sakamoto Ryoma and Oryo's visit.
• Inukai Falls can be viewed from the Takimidai.

When to go

• Annual festival is held on May 6th.
• Inoko Festival is on the third Sunday of November.

Getting there

• On the Kirishima-Ebino Plateau regular sightseeing bus route B.

Address

鹿児島県霧島市牧園町宿窪田3986 Map

Read more about Wake Shrine

Hiramatsu Shrine offers a glimpse into local history, built on a former temple site.

What it is

• Built on the site of Shingaku-ji Temple.
• Shingaku-ji Temple was abolished in the early Meiji period.
• Shrine grounds are a Kagoshima City historic site.

What to see

• Adjacent cemetery has tombstones of Shimazu Toshihisa.
• Cemetery has tombstones of 27 retainers.
• Cemetery has tombstones of Shingaku-ji Temple priests.
• A statue of Osaki Kannon built by monk Mannen.

Getting there

• One-hour walk from Ryugamizu Station (JR Nippo Main Line).
• Five-minute walk north from the Hiramatsu bus stop.
• 20-minute drive from Kagoshima-Chuo Station.

Address

鹿児島県鹿児島市吉野町10691 Map

Read more about Hiramatsu Shrine

An 11th-century shrine in Kagoshima dedicated to the four Kasuga deities, originally serving as a guardian for Tofukuji Castle.

What it is

• Founded in 1053 by Haseba Naozumi, a descendant of Fujiwara no Sumitomo.
• The fourth shrine of the Kagoshima Gosha and part of the Kasuga Taisha lineage.
• Established as the guardian shrine for the now-abandoned Tofukuji Castle.
• The only Kagoshima Gosha shrine not founded by the Shimazu clan.

What to see

• The original site of a boat landing for the former castle.
• A historic shrine grounds designated as a district shrine in 1874.

Getting there

• Located 450 meters northeast of JR Kagoshima Station.

Read more about Kasuga Shrine

Takeda Shrine honors a Shimazu lord, offering historical monuments and a summer festival.

What it is

• Founded in January 1870 as a shrine.
• Originally a Buddhist temple, Nisshin-ji.
• Dedicated to Hishin Ireihiko no Mikoto (Shimazu Tadayoshi).
• Designated a prefectural shrine in 1928.

What to see

• Shrine building constructed by the Shimazu clan.
• Path lined with 47 stone monuments.
• Inumaki trees line the path.
• Graves of Shimazu Tadayoshi and Shimazu Naohisa.
• Suisha Karakuri and Samurai Dance are folk cultural properties.

When to go

• Rokugatsu-do festival is held annually on July 23.

Address

鹿児島県南さつま市加世田武田17932 Map

Read more about Takeda Shrine (Minamisatsuma)

Shiraki Shrine is a historic site, preserving a 15th-century temple building and statue.

What it is

• A shrine dedicated to Shirakihime-no-mikoto.
• Originally a Buddhist temple, Shirakiyama Chōfukuji.
• Converted to a Shinto shrine in 1869.
• Conversion avoided destruction during Haibutsu kishaku.

What to see

• The main shrine building, originally the temple's Kannon-dō.
• The Kannon-dō, built in 1408, is a cultural property.
• It is a rare example of medieval Buddhist architecture.
• A wooden Kannon statue, designated cultural property.
• The Kannon statue is a yosegi-zukuri sculpture.

Address

鹿児島県伊佐市大口白木813 Map

Read more about Shiraki Shrine

Arata Hachimangū is an ancient shrine in Kagoshima, offering unique spiritual protection and historical significance.

What it is

• A shrine in Kagoshima City, founded in 708.
• Enshrines Emperor Ōjin, Empress Jingū, and Tamayori-hime no Mikoto.
• Believed to offer protection from pit vipers.
• Once considered the general shrine of Kagoshima.

What to see

• Four guardian deity shrines around the main shrine.
• A camphor tree, designated as a preserved tree since 1974.

When to go

• Annual main festival is held on October 23rd.
• Hatsuuma festival is around January 25th of the lunar calendar.

Address

鹿児島県鹿児島市下荒田2-7-21 Map

Read more about Arata Hachimangū

Kuroshima Shrine is a historic site with unique stone structures and ancient treasures.

What it is

• Shrine founded in 708 by Suzuki Saburo Masa and Shiro Masayoshi.
• Dedicated to Tagiruhime, Tagitsuhime, Oonamochinomikoto, Emperor Ojin, and Empress Jingu.
• Three other shrines merged into this one in early Meiji.
• Moved to its current location in 1913.

What to see

• Current shrine building dates from 1913.
• Stone lantern donated in 1718.
• Stone bridge completed in 1784 is a cultural property.
• Memorial tower built in 1814.
• Four swords and one armor are shrine treasures.

Address

鹿児島県姶良市上名585 Map

Read more about Kuroshima Shrine (Aira)

A historic shrine in Kagoshima City dedicated to ancient emperors and a guardian of the former Uchi Castle.

What it is

• The fifth of the five major shrines located in Kagoshima City.
• Dedicated to Emperor Ojin, Emperor Nintoku, and Empress Jingu.
• Established in the 14th century by the Shimazu clan.
• Served as the guardian deity for the historic Uchi Castle.

What to see

• Spirits invited from the famous Tsurugaoka Hachimangu in Kamakura.
• A Jomon period archaeological site discovered on the shrine grounds.
• Park redevelopment areas where excavations took place in 1998.

Read more about Wakamiya Shrine

Visit this historic shrine to see sacred masks, votive tablets, and a unique waterwheel automaton.

What it is

• Shrine dedicated to Toyotamahime-no-Mikoto.
• Also enshrines Toyotamahiko-no-Mikoto and Tamayorihime-no-Mikoto.
• Relocated to its current site in 1610.
• Designated a Prefectural Shrine in 1941.

What to see

• Thirty sacred dance masks are stored here.
• Votive tablets from past feudal lords are kept.
• A waterwheel automaton is a national folk cultural property.

When to go

• See the waterwheel automaton during the Rokugatsu-do festival.

Address

鹿児島県南九州市知覧町郡16510 Map

Official site

toyotamahime-jinja.or.jp

Read more about Toyotamahime Shrine

See a unique torii gate, buried by a volcanic eruption, preserved as a natural monument.

What it is

• Haragosha Shrine, formerly Gosha Daimyojin.
• Features a torii gate buried by volcanic ejecta.
• The buried torii is a Kagoshima Prefectural Natural Monument.

What to see

• The Kurokami Maibotsu Torii, a buried gate.
• Torii is part of the Sakurajima-Kinkowan Geopark.
• Original torii was 3 meters tall, 2 meters are buried.
• Torii is made of plagioclase rhyolite rock columns.

Getting there

• About a 30-minute drive from Sakurajima Port.

Address

鹿児島県鹿児島市黒神町647番地 Map

Read more about Haragosha Shrine

Ancient shrine in Kagoshima with unique treasures and a giant camphor tree.

What it is

• Officially named Yamamiya Shrine.
• Founded in 709 AD.
• Enshrines Emperor Tenji, Emperor Jito, and Tamayori-hime.
• Merged with six nearby shrines in 807 AD.

What to see

• Many treasures, including items from the Heian period.
• A 23.6m tall camphor tree, a national natural monument.
• 100 bronze mirrors, one an important cultural property.
• Noh masks and Kagura masks.

When to go

• Spring festival is on the second Saturday of February.

Address

鹿児島県志布志市志布志町安楽1520 Map

Read more about Anraku Yamamiya Shrine

Kamō Hachiman Shrine is a historic site with a 1,600-year-old camphor tree and ancient mirrors.

What it is

• A Shinto shrine in Aira City, Kagoshima Prefecture.
• Founded in 1123 by Chikakiyo, first head of the Kamō clan.
• Dedicated to Hachiman Sanjin: three emperors and an empress.

What to see

• A 1,600-year-old camphor tree, a Special Natural Monument.
• A bronze mirror with autumn grass and two sparrows design.
• This bronze mirror is an Important Cultural Property.
• The shrine holds 116 other bronze mirrors.
• A torii gate and plaque dedicated in 1618.

Address

鹿児島県姶良市蒲生町上久徳2259-1 Map

Read more about Kamō Hachiman Shrine, Aira

Ibusuki Shrine is a historic site with unique camphor wood buildings and cultural properties.

What it is

• Founded in 706 as Katsuragi-no-miya.
• Renamed Ibusuki Shrine during the Meiji period.
• Current main hall built in 1847 by Shimazu Narioki.

What to see

• Shrine buildings made entirely of camphor wood.
• Stone torii made by Iwanaga Sangoro.
• Main hall, dance hall, worship hall, and chokushiden.
• Three Noh masks are a prefectural cultural property.
• Shrine forest is a prefectural natural monument.
• Hackberry tree is a city folk cultural property.

Address

〒891-0304　鹿児島県指宿市東方733番地 Map

Official site

ibusukijinsha.com

Read more about Ibusuki Shrine

Miyauragu is a historic shrine in Kirishima City, known for its ancient ginkgo trees and bay views.

What it is

• A shrine in Kirishima City, Kagoshima Prefecture.
• One of five Shikinaisha shrines in Osumi Province.
• Enshrines Emperor Jimmu and 17 other deities.
• Designated a prefectural shrine in 1873.

What to see

• The main hall, built in the Shinmei-zukuri style.
• Two large ginkgo trees, called "Meoto Icho."
• Both ginkgo trees are over 1,000 years old.
• The ginkgo trees are a prefectural natural monument.
• Views of Sakurajima across Kagoshima Bay.

Address

鹿児島県霧島市福山町福山2437 Map

Read more about Miyauragū

Tokushige Shrine honors a samurai lord, offering a glimpse into local history and culture.

What it is

• Founded in 1871.
• Dedicated to Shimazu Yoshihiro, a samurai lord.
• Built on the former site of Myoenji Temple.

What to see

• Main hall is behind the torii gate.
• Wooden statue of Yoshihiro is a sacred object.
• Sumo wrestling ring is on the grounds.
• Archery range is on the grounds.
• Funami no Gaku is a designated cultural property.

When to go

• Myoenji Mairi pilgrimage is on the fourth Sunday of October.

Address

鹿児島県日置市伊集院町徳重1786 Map

Read more about Tokushige Shrine

Ōnamuchi Shrine is a historic site with ancient camphor trees and a unique Yabusame ritual.

What it is

• Shrine dedicated to Ōnamuchi-no-kami and imperial figures.
• Also enshrines two other deities.
• Shimazu Tadahisa invited Hachiman-jin in 1186.
• Origin of the shrine is unclear.

What to see

• Approach lined with many large camphor trees.
• Camphor trees are called 'Senbon-Kusunoki'.
• Kunimi-ishi stone where Ninigi-no-Mikoto viewed the land.

When to go

• Yabusame ritual is held on November 23.

Address

鹿児島県日置市吹上町中原2263 Map

Read more about Ōnamuchi Shrine

Yaku Shrine, on Kyushu's tallest peak, honors Japan's imperial ancestor and features ancient statues.

What it is

• Official shrine listed in a tenth-century register.
• Dedicated to Hikohohodemi no Mikoto (Yamasachihiko).
• Deity is great-grandson of Amaterasu Omikami.

What to see

• Two tuff-stone statues of the Nio kings, dating to 1831.
• Inner sanctuary among boulders on Mt. Miyanoura summit.
• Mt. Miyanoura is Kyushu's tallest peak at 1,936 meters.

When to go

• Annual festival held on April 29.

Address

鹿児島県熊毛郡屋久島町宮之浦277 Map

Official site

www.yakujinja.com

Read more about Yaku Shrine

Kirishima Jingu is a historic shrine with National Treasure buildings, offering a glimpse into Japan's spiritual heritage.

What it is

• A shrine in Kirishima City, Kagoshima Prefecture.
• Founded in the 6th century by the monk Keiin.
• Current buildings rebuilt in 1715 by Shimazu Yoshitaka.
• Designated Kanpei Taisha in February 1874.

What to see

• Main hall, offering hall, and worship hall are National Treasures.
• Sacred cedar tree is estimated to be 800 years old.

When to go

• Shrine holds about 100 annual rituals.

Address

宮崎県小林市細野 Map

Official site

www.kirishimajingu.or.jp

Read more about Kirishima Jingū