Takachiho-jinja Shrine 高千穂神社

Takachiho-jinja Shrine was founded about 1,900 years ago, and enshrines three generations of deities, including Ninigi no Mikoto, the grandchild of Amaterasu Omikami and great grandparent of Emperor Jimmu. Takachiho is a very important place in Japanese mythology, and it is said that there were once more than 500 shrines in the area. Takachiho Shrine is still widely worshipped for its deity of marriage and purification.

You can get to the shrine by car, bus, or taxi from Takachiho .

Takachiho-jinja is just west of Takachiho's city center, or about 15 minutes on foot from the bus center. If you're staying overnight in a hotel, many offer free shuttle bus rides to the shrine's nightly kagura dance performances.

Takachiho-jinja isn't colored bright red like many others in Japan, and its rather earthy look blends in perfectly with its natural surrounds.

Two tall cedar trees are joined by the roots, and legend says that if you walk round the trees hand in hand with a family member or loved one, great wealth and prosperity will be bestowed upon your descendants.

Each night at the shrine, you can watch kagura performances . These dances reenact the story of Amaterasu-omikami, who hid away in a cave and deprived the world of its light until she was lured out by some rather raucous dances. Performances are held here every night.

The latest information may differ, so please check the official website.