Aoi-Aso Shrine in Hitoyoshi

Aoi-Aso Shrine in Hitoyoshi

Hitoyoshi in the southern Kumamoto Prefecture is a castle town and has long history even since before the Kamakura Age (1185-1333) . Aoi-Aso Shrine, located in the downtown Hitoyoshi, is a historical shrine and was built in 806. SAGARA Clan, who were the castle lords of Hitoyoshi Castle since the thirteenth century, worshipped Aoi-Aso Shrine as their guardian god.

Please refer the page of "Ruins of Hitoyoshi Castle" for more detail:
http://handejapan19.html.xdomain.jp/TravelDestinations/Kyushu/HitoyoshiCastle_E.html

In front of Aoi-Aso Shrine, the arched bridge is located over the moat.

After crossing the arched bridge, you will see the "Torii" Gate. You will also see the two-storied gate behind the "Torii" Gate.

The two-storied gate is very gorgeous. The thatched shrine gate is very rare these days. The gate was built in 1613 at the beginning of the Edo Age (1603-1868) .

If you go through the two-storied gate, you will see the Worship Hall. The violet shrine curtain goes well with the thatched Worship Hall.

At the front of the Worship Hall, you will see the Main Shrine Hall through the hall of offering. It is said the god stays at the Main Shrine Hall. The atmosphere is very solemn.

The Main Shrine Hall, the hall of offering and the Worship Hall as shown is the below pictures were also built at the beginning of the Edo Age by SAGARA Yorifusa (1574-1636) , who was the twentieth generation of the SAGARA Clan and was the first feudal domain lord of Hitoyoshi.

As these shrine buildings are very historical and they used unique local architecture, they are designated as national treasures of Japan. They are the first national treasures as thatched shrine buildings.

The Graves of SAGARA Clan

To the east from downtown Hitoyoshi, Ganjyoji Temple is located.

Ganjoji Temple was built in 1233 by SAGARA Nagayori (1177-1254) , who was the first generation of the SAGARA Clan and was the first castle lord of Hitoyoshi Castle.

Ganjoji Temple was the family temple of the SAGARA Clan and used to have six branch temples. Ganjoji Temple was destroyed by battles happened in Hitoyoshi a couple of times. The existing temple buildings were built at the beginning of twentieth century after destroyed by the Satsuma Rebellion happened in 1877.

If you walk to the south from Ganjoji Temple, you will see the grave of SAGARA Nagayori.

SAGARA Nagayori had been buried at the main hall of Ganjoji Temple for a long time. However, the main hall was destroyed by the Satsuma Rebellion and this grave was built in 1888.

Behind the grave of SAGARA Nagayori, the stone stairs continue to the graves of the SAGARA Clan.

SAGARA Nagayori moved from Shizuoka area to Hitoyoshi in 1198 and became the first castle lord of Hitoyoshi Castle. The SAGARA Clan continuously became the castle lords until 1868 at the end of the Edo Age (1603-1868) .

The below-left picture shows the graves of SAGARA clan from the second generation, SAGARA Yorichika (1197-1264) , to the nineteenth generation, SAGARA Tadafusa (1572 - 1585) .

The above-right picture shows the graves of SAGARA clan from the twentieth generation, SAGARA Yorifusa (1574 - 1636) , to the twenty-sixth generation, SAGARA Yorimine (1735 - 1758) .

Ganjyoji Temple and the graves of the SAGARA Clan are located near the "Kuma" River. If you walk to the south from the graves of the SAGARA Clan, you will see the river and the railway bridge of the Hisatsu Line.

On your right, you will see the ruins of Hitoyoshi Castle across the "Kuma" River.

It was just before the sunset. The atmosphere was very lonesome.

Hitoyoshi is a historical town. There are a couple of historical sites and also hot springs. It will be good to visit Hitoyoshi. The scenery on the way to Hitoyoshi is also wonderful.

How to get there
From Tokyo, take a "Nozomi" bound for Hakata. From Hakata, take a "Mizuho", "Sakura" or "Tsubame" to Kumamoto. From Osaka, "Mizuho" and "Sakura" run directly to Kumamoto. Change at Kumamoto to a Limited Express "Kumagawa" to Hitoyoshi on the Hisatsu Line. As of March 2021, train services on the Hisatsu Line are disrupted due to the severe flood damages happened in July 2020. Alternatively, bus services are available between Kumamoto and Hitoyoshi.

Other Historical Sites near by:
Ruins of Hitoyoshi Castle
Mount Aso
Stone Arch-Bridges in Kumamoto
Ruins of Uto Castle
Ruins of Yatsushiro Castle