Tour of Japanese shrines and temples 
※In this article, some images of anime works are quoted for comparison and verification with my photographs. Copyright of these images belongs to Brains Base and “Natsume’s Book of Friends” and “Hotarubi no Morihe” Production Committee.
Natsume Yujincho“ (Natsume’s Book of Friends) is the story of Takashi Natsume, a boy who can see yokai, who inherits his grandmother Reiko’s ”Book of Friends” and spends his days returning names to the yokai whose names are bound in it. The author, Yuki Midorikawa, was born in Hitoyoshi City, Kumamoto Prefecture, so there are many depictions modeled on its scenery.
Amamiya Shrine
Amemiya Shrine [Kumamoto]
Amamiya Shrine is called Totoro no Mori (Totoro’s Forest) by the locals, and is a shrine that appears out of the rice paddies. It was a very strange place, perhaps a large rock formation surrounded by trees.
It will appear in the opening of the fourth and sixth seasons.
The torii gates of the shrine pavilions and approach are as in the anime.
Tamachi Sugawara Tenmangu Shrine
Tamachi Sugawara Tenmangu Shrine [Kumamoto]
Tamachi Sugawara Tenmangu Shrine is dedicated to Sugawara Michizane.
Appeared in the opening of the second phase. This is the model of the shrine where Mr. Natori was located. The building on the left is now demolished.
Miyajitake Shrine and Ohata Station
Miyajitake Shrine and Okoba Station Area [Kumamoto]
Ohata Station has been unmanned with no trains coming since the flood, but it seems to be popular among railroad fans and Natsume Yuujinchou fans. The best time to visit here is during the cherry blossom season.
Appears in episode 5 of the first season. It also appears in the opening of the 6th season.
Near Ohata Station is Miyajitake Shrine, which also appears in the final episode of the third season. The shrine itself is small, but it is well maintained and offers a peaceful view of the Hitoyoshi Basin.
Ogaki Bishamondo
It appeared in episode 10 of the second season. It was a peaceful landscape.
Ogaki Bishamondo’s date of establishment is unknown; it was devastated by flooding on July 4, 2020, but was restored with the help of local people.
Nakagami-cho, Hitoyoshi-shi, Kumamoto 868-0085, Japan
※Free parking available
About 10 minutes by car from Hitoyoshi Station on the JR Kyushu Hisatsu Line
Sanjigahara Kannon
The date of Sanjigahara Kannon’s founding, etc. is unknown. This one does not appear in the anime, but it seems to be near where the Nanatsu Tsujiya manju store is located and has an atmosphere.
62 Shimotogoshi-cho, Hitoyoshi-shi, Kumamoto 868-0077, Japan
※No parking is available.
About 7 minutes by car from Hitoyoshi Station on the JR Kyushu Hisatsu Line
On the way to Okaki-Bishamondo and Mikkibara Kannon, there were tunnels of cherry trees in bloom in some places. Since there is little traffic, it is possible to stroll around on foot.
Hotarubi no Mori e「Into the Forest of Fireflies’ Light」Kamishikimi Kumanoimasu Shrine
Kamishikimi Kumanoimasu Shrine [Kumamoto]
Into the Forest of Fireflies’ Light“ is an animated film based on a manga by Yuki Midorikawa, the same author as ”Natsume’s Book of Friends. The shrine that appears in the film has a model, which is believed to be theKamishikimi Kumanoimasu Shrine in Takamori, Aso County, Kumamoto Prefecture.
Kamishikimi Kumanoimasu Shrine was built between the late Kamakura period (1185) and the Muromachi period (1573). The approach to the shrine is lined with as many as 97 stone lanterns, and the countless steps leading up to the shrine are overwhelming when viewed from below.
Shrines around Hitoyoshi
There are other places we visited, and we will update Natsume’s Book of Friends and To the Hotarubi no Morihe Holy Land holy places along with other articles as needed.
