Takachiho Shrine - where yokagura dances are performed every night
This historic shrine is mentioned in some of the literature that date back to the Heian period (794 - 1185). Takachiho Shrine represents the 22 shrines that spread throughout the region. The 800 year-old cedar tree in front of the main building is said to have been planted by Hatakeyama Shigetada who frequented the shrine to worship on behalf of Minamoto-no-Yoritomo (founder of the Kamakura shogunate which governed 1192 - 1333).
Towards the back of the shrine premises is the Kagura Preservation Hall where 4 numbers of the kagura dances are performed.
Dance performance 500 yen / 8 p.m. - 9 p.m. performed every night / 0982-72-2413
20-minute walk from Takachiho station.
Ama-no-Iwato Shrine - where you might meet the sun goddess
The shrine is made up of the east hall worshipping Amaterasu-omikami and the west hall worshipping Ama-no-Iwato. Behind the west hall is the Iwato River, and on the other side of the river is the Ama-no-Iwato cave where sun goddess Amaterasu-omikami is said to have hidden.
Further up the stream is Ama-no-Yasugawara, the riverbed where millions of gods discussed how to bring the sun goddess out of the cave. The people's worship and prayers are represented in stones which are stacked in the riverbed Gyobo Iwaya cave.
From Takachiho bus terminal take Miyako Bus for Iwato. Get off at Iwato (20 min. ride) and walk 15 min.
Kunimi-ga-oka - a world of mystic wonder
At 513 meters above sea level, Aso mountain ranges in the distant west, Mt. Ama-no-kaguyama in the east, Shiba mountains in the south, Sobo mountain range in the north and Takachiho Basin down below can all be viewed from a single spot.
The name Kunimi-ga-oka, which Chinese characters imply as "the hill where the country is observed," was given to this place since this is where the gods are known to have done their duties. In the early hours of autumn mornings, a sea of clouds creep up beneath one's feet, and the golden mountains beam majestically as they glow in the sun's reflection.
From Takachiho bus terminal take the Miyako Bus for Tanishita. Get off at Kunimi-ga-oka (15 min. ride).
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