All about Kagoshima　-sightseeing, accommodations, shopping, gourmet, hot spring -

A "Power Spot" is a place which gives energy to rejuvenate our heart and body, and is very popular among women these days. There are several leading "Power Spots" in Kagoshima so let us introduce them!

 

１．【Kamafuta Shrine】～Bringing Good Luck and Good Fortune～

The Kamafuta Shrine is located on a cape where you can see the beautiful Mount Kaimon (also known as the Satsuma Fuji). A well-known "Power Spot", it is said that a visit to the shrine will bring good luck and lots of good fortune.

 

There have been recent rumours that Nakamura Shunsuke, Japan's ex-national soccer team player, and IKKO, a TV personality of the local show business, had gotten some good luck after visiting the shrine, and visitors to the shrine had since then increased tremendously.

 

After parking the car at the parking lots, one walks towards the sea and witnesses the great open sea, and also the mysterious red shrine building.

 

Closing in on the shrine, one will be able to witness an amusing scene of people walking slowly towards the shrine while trying to balance a kamafuta (pot cover) over their heads, taking care not to drop it. This is one of the ways of offering a prayer. It is said that if one can balance the kamafuta and walk a distance of 10m from the Torii Gate to the Shrine without dropping the kamafuta, the prayer will be answered. The most difficult part of the route is a three-step flight of stairs, where it is really difficult to keep balance. Upon failure (i.e. the kamafuta drops), one may attempt the feat again.

　　　

There is another way of offering a prayer called the kamafuta-nage (pot cover toss). One attempts to toss a palm-sized, unglazed (bisque-fired) kamafuta (which costs 100 yen) into a pot fixed on a rocky plain about 3m below the shrine premises. If the small kamafuta lands within the pot, it is said that one can expect something good to happen (i.e. good luck).

 

After offering prayers, one enters the shrine and can purchase omamori (good luck charms) and ema (votive picture tablets). A picture of a dragon is painted on the ceiling of the shrine. One will get engrossed by staring at the painting, where the globe held by the dragon seems to emanate light. This shrine is originally dedicated to the worship of the god of war, and hence receives many visitors to pray for victory of all sorts. Besides that, there are also other good luck charms praying for the passing of examinations, a fruitful love relationship, traffic safety, and good business sales.

Located on the right of the main shrine is a divine tree, which is apparently the greatest power spot. This is due to the solemn atmosphere around the divine tree. In the shrine, there are also visitors who came to offer their thanks after their prayers had been answered - which is the recovery from an illness.

There is a small path located on the cape at a corner of the shrine. The small path leads to a beautiful spot with a breathtaking view, known as the Kibou no Misaki (Cape of Hope). There is a bench in the shape of a pot cover. From there, one can take in the scenery of Mount Kaimon floating on the surface of the sea and the beautiful shoreline. The peacefulness of the place calms the mind and gives energetic powers.

↓ They have many kinds of Charms　↓

↑ For good-luck and wade off the evil spirits

↑　Lucky Charms

Left: Lucky Charm      Right: Road Safety Charm

 

 

Access to Kamafuta Shrine:

http://www.city.minamikyushu.lg.jp/cgi-bin/hpViewContent.cgi?pID=20100308153631&pLang=ja

 

 

 

２．【Banshobana Nature Park】～The Bell of Happiness～

 

The Banshobana Nature Park is about 5 minutes drive from Kamafuta Shrine. The former has recently become a very popular love power spot. Banshobana Nature Park is a large scale panorama scenic spot where one can see the flawless weaving of Mount Kaimon, the sea and the sky, all into one.

 

During the Edo period, Ino Tadataka, who walked throughout the whole of Japan to draw the very first map of the country, praised Banshobana for having a magnificent view which is unparalleled in its grandeur.

 

Named "Tatsu no Otoshigo (seahorses) ~ Kichigane", it is said that the Bell of Bansho, when sounded, brings good fortune.

 

The Tatsu no Otoshigo (seahorses) living in the nearby sea is a symbol of "Health, Luck, Children, Safe delivery (of a baby), Loving Husband and Wife, and Fruitful Love relationship". The offering of prayer is done by sounding the bell a corresponding number of times. The first sounding of the bell prays for good luck, the second for good health, the third for a fruitful love relationship and loving husband and wife, the fourth for children, and the fifth sounding of the bell prays for the safe delivery of a baby.

 

The Tatsu no Otoshigo (seahorses) is seen in the form of a rising dragon, which symbolizes good fortune. In a pair, they recognize each other as lifetime partners, and in a position to lay eggs, their stomach is in contact with each other, resembling a heart shape.

 

Why don't you ring the Bell of Happiness and make a wish too?

 

３．【Kirishima Shrine】

～The Very First Honeymoon Destination in Japan～

～  Ryoma and Oryo～

Speaking of the Power Spot of Kagoshima, one would first think of Kirishima Shrine. Backed by the Takachihomine peak, the Kirishima Shrine worships the Niniginomikoto, grandchild of the Amaterasu Goddess, in the ancient legend of Tenson Kourin (Descending of the Heavenly Grandchild). Built in the 6^th century, this shrine has a very long history. The shrine has great beauty and dignity, and a mysterious atmosphere that awes all its visitors.

Walking past the pilgrimage path covered in lush greenery and aged cedar trees, the sophisticated vermilion structure of the shrine appears before you. Just by being there, one can feel his/her heart being cleansed.

 

４．【Yakushima】～World Natural Heritage - the Mystery of Nature～

Yakushima island is the first Japanese site to be registered as a World Natural Heritage in 1993. With nature being retained in its original primitive state while human beings reside, Yakushima island receives good appraisal as a role model showcasing human and nature living in harmony. The circumference of the island is 132km. Located right in the middle of the island is Mount Miyanoura. Standing tall at 1,936m it is the highest peak in Kyushu and is also recognized as one of the "Hundred Famous Mountains of Japan".

 

A well-known nature spot, Yakushima island receives many visitors from within and outside Japan daily, and it can be said that the whole island is in itself a power spot, with endless charms to offer.

 

We would like to recommend three power spots in Yakushima island.

First, the Shiradani Unsuikyo Ravine - this is the place where forest in which the Shishigami (name of a character) resides is modelled after, in the animated movie "Mononoke Hime". After walking about two hours, we arrive at a mysterious area covered by lush greenery, which is known as "The Forest of Mononoke Hime". The mysterious feel of the place cannot be described in words. The forest is fully covered in moss and surrounded by Yakusugi (thousand year old Japanese cedar trees), and one can enjoy seeing the different variety of Yakusugi. Stopping once a while to check out the moss, one will be fascinated by its beauty. Especially after rain, the beauty of Shiradani Unsuikyo Ravine is simply fascinating and will capture one's heart.

Second, it is none other than the Jomon Cedar. It takes 11 hours to travel to and fro the Jomon cedar, which is said to be of 7200 years old. It is a cedar tree worth a visit once a lifetime. Some people said that upon seeing the Jomon Cedar, one will change his perspective on life. Located in the midst of misty fog, the majestic Jomon Cedar commands a sense of presence. There is much to learn from this Jomon Cedar, which has protected and watched over the forest since ancient times. We recommend the Yakusugi Nature Museum to the fans of the Jomon Cedar, where you can see the "Branch of Life" - a branch which broke off after enduring the heavy weight of piled snow.

Yakusugi Shizenkan (Yakusugi Nature Museum)　http://www5.ocn.ne.jp/~yakumuse/

2739-343, Awa, Yakushima-cho, Kumage-gun, Kagoshima-ken, 〒891-4311

TEL：0997-46-3113　　FAX：0997-46-3168

 The last recommendation is the Ogawa no Taki (Ogawa Falls). To be able to view the powerful waterfall and close proximity is simple wonderful. Standing just 50m away, one can feel the speed and flow of the fall through the water sprays. This is due to Yakushima island being blessed by abundant rainfall. Showered in rich negative ions, one can feel nature by stretching out on the rocky plain, enjoying the water spray and listening to the sound of the waterfall.

 

Yakushima Tourism Association　http://www1.ocn.ne.jp/~yakukan/

TEL:0997-49-4010　 FAX:0997-49-4011

E-Mail:yakukan@coral.ocn.ne.jp