Kai Shrine

What it is

• An ancient shrine listed in the 10th-century Engishiki records.
• The current enshrined deities are officially recorded as unknown.
• The Uno family has traditionally served as the hereditary priests.
• Located east of Beppu Port and north of the Kuroki Imperial Palace ruins.

What to see

• Main building reconstructed in 1867 using the regional Oki-zukuri architectural style.
• A burial mound situated directly behind the main shrine building.
• Branch shrines on the grounds dedicated to Ise and Inari.
• Site where obsidian arrowheads were previously excavated from the adjacent grounds.

When to go

• The annual shrine festival is held every year on July 21.
• A traditional boat procession festival takes place every other year.

Notes written by Japan Gems from facts in Japanese Wikipedia.