Hayataka Tenmangu shrine is situated in Matoishi district, Aso city. This is an area I particularly enjoy for some of its tourists’ spots like the historical road of Sankinkotai from where you can enjoy one of the best views on Mount Aso. This area isn’t well deserved by public transportation (the closest train station is 25 minutes away by foot) but bike rental can be a good alternative.
To reach the shrine, you will have to pass through a nice Japanese garden called Matoishi tea house ruins. I highly recommend the visit in autumn when the red leaves make the place even more beautiful. When the season comes, I will post some pictures on our social networks.
Hayataka Tenmangu is a shrine dedicated to Sugawara no Michizane, a famous poet from the Heian era (794-1195) who is now regarded as a deity of scholarship. A lord of Higo (ancient name for Kumamoto). Hosokawa Tsunatoshi (1661-1712) decided to build this shrine after a stay in the capital.
The entrance of the shrine is marked by a Torii and two statues of what are called Komainu (lion-dogs) are standing just after. On the right of the shrine is a nice lake where koi are swimming. This lake too is best viewed in autumn when the Momiji turn red. Inside the shrine is an Ema (a drawing on a wood plate) dating back to 1716.
The shrine was heavily damaged by the Kumamoto earthquakes in 2016. I remember that when I visited the shrine not so long after the earthquakes, the shrine’s building was inclined like the tower of Pisa. The torii at the entrance of the tea garden also collapsed at that time. Thanks to the work of the locals the shrine and its surrounding have now completely recovered.
Franck.
