Takachiho Shrine

Takachiho Shrine was founded about 1,900 years ago and serves as the chief shrine (sōsha) of the 88 shrines of Takachiho-go. The shrine’s main hall and a pair of guardian lion-dog statues (komainu) among its holdings are designated Important Cultural Properties of Japan. Takachiho Sumeragami and Jissha Daimyojin are enshrined as principal deities, and the shrine is especially believed to bestow blessings for matchmaking, marital harmony, and the success of agriculture and industry, earning deep devotion. Its sacred tree is a Chichibu cedar said to be around 800 years old—well worth seeing and a must-visit for Takachiho sightseeing. Access: by public transportation, from JR Hakata Station take the “Gokaze-go” highway bus (reservation required), 4 services/day, about 3.5 hours; from JR Kumamoto Station take special express buses “Aso-go / Takachiho-go” (reservation required), 2 services/day, about 3 hours; from JR Nobeoka Station take a local bus, about 1.5 hours; from JR Miyazaki Station a limited-period highway bus (reservation required) runs, about 2 hours 40 minutes. From Takachiho Bus Center, it’s about a 15-minute walk. By car: about 1.5 hours from Kyushu Expressway “Matsubase IC” via Route 218, or about 40 minutes from Kyushu Chuo Expressway “Kurata IC” via Route 218.