Takachiho, Kyushu, Japan (May 2024)
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Takachiho is
a small town located in the north of the Miyazaki Prefecture, about 65km
southwest of Oita City. It is home to Ama-no-iwato-jinja,
the site of a famous Japanese legend involving the sun goddess Amaterasu (see
below). Other sites of interest are Takachiho-jinja, another Shinto shrine, and
the deep, narrow Takachiho gorge (Gokase river) south of the city center.
Unfortunately, the later has become extremely touristy.
Ama-no-iwato-jinja and Ama-no-yasukawara
Located north
of the city center, Ama-no-iwato-jinja is a Shinto shrine that enshrines the
Ama-no-iwato cave where, according to the legend, the
sun goddess Amaterasu
hid after a dispute with her malicious brother Susanoo, thus
plunging the world into darkness. This shrine is divided into two parts,
Nishihongu (west hall) and Higashihongu (east hall) facing each other across
the Iwato river. The cave, which is located between the two halls on the east
side of the river, is an off-limits sacred place. A short walk north of
Nishihongu along the Iwato river leads to another cave, Ama-no-yasukawara,
where the legend says an assembly of other kami discussed how to get Amaterasu
out of her cave. Eventually a female kami, Ame-no-uzume-no-mikoto,
performed an outrageously bawdy dance in front of the Ama-no-iwato cave.
This dance made the gathered kami laugh so loudly that Amaterasu became
curious, went to the rock door of her cave, and opened it slightly. Powerful
kami Ame-no-tajikarao was waiting, pulled the big rock, and took Amaterasu out
of the cave, thus bringing light back to the world.
Nishihongu:
- Left: Torii
at the entrance of the alley leading to Nishihongu (west side of Iwato river).
Right: Statue located to the left of the torii depicting Ame-no-tajikarao, a
kami of great strength, removing a rock to open the Ama-no-iwato cave.
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- Left: View the
Iwato river and its surrounding forest. Center and right: Colorful roosters
along the way.
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- Ema (wooden prayer tablets) board at the
Nishihongu.
- Halls of the Nishihongu.
Higashihongu:
- Left: View
over the Iwato river from a bridge. Center: Torii at the foot of the stairs
leading to Higashihongu. Right: Rotating statue of kami Ame-no-uzume-no-mikoto,
whose dancing helped pulling Amaterasu out of her cave.
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- Successive
views of Higashihongu.
- Views along
the trail from Nishihongu to Ama-no-yasukawara.
- Pedestrian
bridge over a stream (Tsuchiroku river).
- Ama-no-yasukawara:
the cave where the legend says the assembly of kami met, in which a torii and
small shrine have been built. The ground from inside the cave down to the Iwato
river is covered with hundreds of stone stacks created by people to thank the gods
who helped to bring light to the world, and also to make wishes.
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Takachiho-jinja
This Shinto
temple located west of the city center is nestled among towering cedars. It is
believed to have been founded 1900 years ago. It enshrines kami for good
harvests and good fortune in marriage.
- Main hall
built in 1778.
- Small hall
dedicated to good fortune in marriage.
Takachiho Gorge (Gokase
river)
Narrowest section of the gorge between vertical cliffs made of dark
basalt columns, with the spectacular 17m-high Manai waterfall dropping into the
Gokase river.
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A wider
section of the gorge, with a large rock known as the ″power rock″.
Remains of a
traditional watermill.
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