If you want to know the roots of Japanese Shinto, you should visit Takachiho in Kyusyu. Takachiho is called as “the land of myths” and one of the best known places for Japanese myth stories. It is a very small town in the northernmost of Miyazaki prefecture. The population of the town is only about 14,000 but about 1.5 million tourists visit each year.

What do attract people to Takachiho? It is said that Takachiho is the place where Sun Goddess’s grandson descended to earth. Also there are many other places which are related to Japanese mythology. The people in Takachiho inherit Kagura, sacred dance that shows stories of mythology. This year, I took a week trip to Kyushu and traveled around many places in Kyushu. I would say Takachiho is the best places in my trip in Kyushu. I’m going to introduce unmissable spots in Takachiho.



Takachiho Gorge

Takachiho Gorge is in upper stream of the Gokase River. Long time ago, the gorge appeared because of the eruption of Mount Aso. Since 1934, it is protected as national monument. There is alameda and you can take a nice walk for 1 km. It is very nice view with fresh air. You can also take a boat on river to enjoy the view.

The best view point is Manai Waterfall. It is 17m high and one of the top 100 waterfalls in Japan. If you have seen guide books of Kyusyu, you might have seen the picture of the waterfall because the pictures are often used on cover of guide books or some photo books. If you take a boat, you can go by the waterfall and the view is absolutely stunning. But beware that, sometimes the rental boat shop is closed for maintenance. You might want to ask by phone in advance.



Takachiho Shrine

Takachiho Shrine is near the center area of Takachiho town. The shrine was built about 1900 years ago. There is a 800 years old Japanese cedar trees in the precinct. It is a twin cedar and they are said as a couple of husband and wife. So if a couple holds hands and walk three times around the cedars, it is said that they would get married.



You should visit Takachiho Shrine twice during daytime and at night. At night they have Yokagura performance. “yo” means “at night” and “kagura” means sacred dance and music. The dance is about the story of myths of Sun Goddess and some other gods. The dance is designated as important intangible folk-cultural properties of Japan.

You can enjoy the performance every night at Takachiho shrine from 8p.m. Yokagura is a shorter version and you can watch 4 stories out of 33. There are some other places where inherit the traditional sacred dance. But it is rare that travelers can watch because they are usually performed only at festivals. I’m Japanese, but I’ve never had a chance to watch Yokagura in my life, so it was a very exciting experience. I watched at the very front row and it was so impressive. It’s really worth seeing.

Amanoiwato Shrine and Amano Yasukawara



Amanoiwato Shrine is the place where the most famous myth legend happened. Japanese sun goddess, Amaterasu, hide herself in the cave near the shrine because she got very angry with her brother’s pranks. She refused to come out to the outside world, causes darkness. So others gathered at another cave near the shrine and discussed how they could lure her out. A god performed ribald dance to cause other gods laugh, and sun goddess came out to see what’s happen in the outside world.



The cave, sun goddess hid herself is near Amanoiwato Shrine and you can see from the shrine. If you want to see the cave, you need to ask at the shrine office and Shinto priesthood will take you to the place. The other cave where gods gathered is called Amano Yasukawara and it also became a small shrine. Amano Yasukawara is 10~15 minutes away by walk. You might want to prepare a pair of sturdy walking shoes to walk from Amanoiwato shrine to Amano Yasukawara.