Hachiman Asami Shrine

Today Hisako (Japanese friend), Simon (Chinese friend) and I enjoyed a delicious lunch in Café Shinanoya. Shinanoya serves delicious food and very famous in Beppu. From café Shinanoya we walk to Hachiman Asami Shrine. This magnificent shrine is located in Asami area (10 minutes walk from JR Beppu Station) and very rich in history. According to their information brochure, the shrine was established in 1196, shortly after the eruption of Mt. Tsurumi. In 1598, it was destroyed by a devastating earthquake and restored in 1670. Asami shrine commemorated its 800th anniversary in 1996. This is a very popular attraction for visitors. People visit this shrine in special occasions and make wishes to God of the shrine. As Hisako told, there are around 80,000 shrines in Japan.

Torii
We crossed the Miyuki (happiness) bridge in the entrance and walked through torii (archway) on the stone paved road. Torii are the symbol of shrines and mark the boundary between the everyday world and the sacred realm of gods. There are three toriis. The stone paved approach to the shrine begins from the second torii.

The Legendary Stones

Along the pavement, there are two special shaped legendary stone; the Gourd stone and the Cup stone. It is said that anyone can secure good luck for the year by stepping onto these stones especially on the first visit of the year. So, Hisako, Simon and me stepped onto these stones and wish good luck for the year.

The Cedar Couple
We went up the stairs to the shrine and in the shrine premise, a cedar couple welcomed us. These two cedar trees are very old and huge, standing next to each other like a massive gate in the sky. Tradition says that if two persons pass under these two cedars together, they will be married. Hisako and I passed together, so I don’t know what will happen to us since both of us are women! Hisako told me if some hug one of the cedars and wish something, it will happen. So I hugged one of them and wish not to be married with Hisako! Now I am eagerly waiting to see which one will occur in my case.

The Ever-clean Spring water
Right after the cedar couple we saw the Mantaro spring water. The clean water stored in a water tank for the visitors. It is said that this spring water did not run dry in the drought or become muddy in a spell of rain. It is named after Mantaro; a dutiful son who gave this ever-clean spring water to his gravely ill father, restoring him quickly to perfect health. Hisako explained me the way to use the holy water. So, by using the water pot first I clean my right hand than left and pour water on my right hand then gurgle with that. Thus I purify myself to enter into the shrine.

The Holy Shrine

We walk upstairs and reached at the holy shrine. A beautiful red colored wooden structured building. The main building is divided into two parts. The bigger part is for pray and the smaller one is the god house. I saw some monks and worshippers inside the big house. In front of the building there is a big bell tied with an arch with a huge long rope. A wooden box is kept under the bell for the worshippers to put coin. I decided to pray and wish something. So, according to shrine’s praying rule, I put a coin in the box, ring the bell twice, bow twice , clap twice then pray in silence and bow again.

On the right side of the shrine we saw the Asami library. You can find the 800 years of history and culture there. The library’s collection of precious cultural assets and literary works offer visitors a unique insight into the culture of Beppu.

1000 -year- old Camphor Tree
The shrine area is surrounded by oaks, cedars and other trees. Among the trees, a 1000 year-old huge camphor tree stands beside the shrine spreading its peaceful shadow over the premise. This is the oldest tree I had ever seen in my life!

The Black Hole
On the left side of the shrine we saw a black square hole. Hisako said that this hole is used for burning kadomatsu. Kadomatsu is a traditional Japanese decoration of new year placed in front of homes to welcome ancestral spirits. Usually it is made of pines and bamboos. In the beginning of the year people place kadomatsu and in the middle of January they burn it in the square hole of the Shrine to release the spirits.

We enjoyed the scenic beauty of Beppu valley from the left side and the downtown from the front side of the shrine. We finished our visit to Asami shrine with holy feelings and on the way back visited the souvenir shop. Here Simon tried his luck. He bought an omikuji (written oracle) with 100 yen. Happily he bought it but soon become pale as it is written in the omikuji that he will loss his girlfriend very soon! We asked Simon to hug the cedar couple and wish for a new girlfriend.

Please Visit the Asami shrine. You can feel the holiness of your mind. The thick greenery, solemn atmosphere, brisk air of the woods and the holy spirit of Asami shrine bring to visitors a tranquility of mind. You can visit Asami shrine any time of the day.


Address: 2-15-19, Asami, Phone: 09977-23-1408, E-mail:asami@asami.or.jp