Kirishima Jingu (Kirishima Grand Shrine)

Overview

The enshrined deity (kami) is Ninigi-no-Mikoto, the heavenly grandson. This ancient shrine symbolizes the myth of the descent of the heavenly grandson, who is said to have descended from the heavens onto the Takachiho Peak of the Kirishima mountain range, and it boasts the largest scale in southern Kyushu. The current shrine buildings were donated in 1715 CE (Genroku 11) by Shimazu Yoshutaka, the lord of the Satsuma Domain; the honden (main hall), heiden (offering hall), and haiden (worship hall) are designated as National Treasures. It is also known as a site visited during the honeymoon of Sakamoto Ryoma and his wife, Oryo.

Highlights

• ・National Treasures: honden (main hall), heiden (offering hall), and haiden (worship hall)
• ・Land of the descent of the heavenly grandson myth
• ・Goshenboku (sacred tree) approximately 800 years old
• ・Associated with Sakamoto Ryoma's honeymoon