Revered as the first shrine in Higo Province (modern-day Kumamoto), Aso Shrine is an ancient shrine with more than 2,000 years of history. This shrine is the head shrine of the roughly 500 similarly named Aso Shrine in Japan. The Aso Clan—a powerful clan in the Aso region—has served as the shrine’s high priest from ancient times to today. The shrine buildings, which enshrine the 12 gods known collectively as the Aso Twelve Myojin, were rebuilt between 1835 and 1850 through donations from the Kumamoto Domain. Six of the buildings have been designated as Important Cultural Properties of Japan, and the Romon Gate—the largest gate in Kyushu—is also considered one of Japan’s Three Great Romon Gates. Other highlights of this popular spiritual destination include the Takasago-no-Matsu Pine Tree, the Aso Ogami Wishing Stone, and the shrine’s side approach—a rarity in Japan.
