Walking Trails - Kamishikimi Kumanoimasu Shrine 散策マップ③　上色見熊野座神社

Official explanation

The third hiking trail from the Minami Aso Visitor Center leads to the Kamishikimi Kumanoimasu Shrine. The shrine is hidden among the forests surrounding Takamori, a small town in this Aso region of Kumamoto Prefecture. The Kamishikimi Kumanoimasu Shrine is known locally for its profoundly spiritual atmosphere. There is a large rock with a cave in the shrine precincts. Myth has it that this rock, called Ugedo, was struck by the demon Kihachi while being chased by Takeiwatatsu no Mikoto, the mythical founder of Aso.

The route takes walkers through wonderful forest scenery. On the way, there is an ancient stone staircase, with moss-covered rocks, stone lanterns, and large torii (sacred gates) leading to the shrine itself. This shrine is dedicated to three deities: Izanagi and Izanami, the creators of the Japanese islands and progenitors of myriad deities, and Takeiwatatsu no Mikoto.

出典: 地域観光資源の多言語解説文データベース（観光庁） — www.mlit.go.jp/tagengo-db. この英語解説文は観光庁の地域観光資源の多言語解説整備支援事業で作成しました。
Source: Japan Tourism Agency, Multilingual Explanation Database. This English text was produced by the Japan Tourism Agency's multilingual explanation project and is shown unedited. Opening hours and services may have changed since it was written.