One of the oldest shinto shrines in Japan with rich and unique local traditions.

Amano Iwato shrine is associated with the famous Japanese legend of Sun Goddess Amaterasu hiding in a cave. This is one of the most interesting shinto places I’ve seen in Japan.

Shirakawa Suigen is a famous fresh water spring, the source of Shirakawa river in Kumamoto prefecture.

Shimomiya, a small shrine sitting amidst rice fields in Aso caldera, would be totally unremarkable if not for one thing: an unusual event that takes place here every year from August to October.

Kokuzo shrine is featured in Engishiki, the list of shrines dating back to Heian period, which makes it one of the oldest shrines in Aso region.

Aso is a huge caldera of an ancient supervolcano that, as a result of its massive past super-eruptions collapsed onto itself, leaving an area of indented ground with a mountain range at its center which now holds an active crater. I rented a car and explored the area for 2 days.

Visit to Arita, a birthplace of Japanese porcelain

Usa Jingu is one of the oldest and most important Shinto shrines in Japan. It is dedicated to Hachiman deity, and is the ancestor of all other Hachiman shrines.