Not too far from Kirishima City we can find Kirishima Shinto shrine (霧島神宮). It was originally built on top of Mt. Takachiho in the middle of the 6th century to deify Niniginomikoto, an ancient Japanese god. The present Kirishima shrine was rebuilt in 1975 by Lord Shimadzu Yoshitaka, feudal lord of Satsuma domain and the 21st patriarch of the Shimadzu family, as the original shrine was destroyed by the fire during a volcanic eruption. I highly recommend a visit to this beautiful traditional shrine. You can have a peaceful walk through the surrounding forest, home of ancient trees, and enjoy spectacular views of active volcano Sakurajima and the bay. So, what are you waiting for?
