Sugawara Shrine (Arahira Tenjin) [Kagoshima]

【Sugawara Shrine (Arahira Tenjin) summary】

Sugawara Shrine is the official name of the shrine, but it is commonly known as Arahira Tenjin because it is located in the town of Tenjin. The exact date of its founding is unknown, but it is believed to have been built between 1532 and 1555.

The deity is Sugawara Michizane.

【Sugawara Shrine (Arahira Tenjin) Whole scenery】

It is built on a rocky hill jutting out into the sea from the coast along Prefectural Route 68, with an impressive torii gate surrounded by beautiful sandy beach and the sea. At first I thought it was dedicated to a god related to water or the sea, but I had no idea it was Sugawara no Michizane.

【Sugawara Shrine (Arahira Tenjin) torii】

Basically, it seems to be a kind of Myojin torii, but it seems to be closer to Hachiman torii. However, the shimagi part of the torii is white, which is common in shrines in Kagoshima Prefecture?

There is no clear approach to the island, but the hard ground toward the island makes it look like a white beach. The island is inaccessible at high tide, and is also called “Tenjin Island” because of the way it floats in the sea, and has been selected as one of the “Eight Views of Kanoya.

【Sugawara Shrine (Arahira Tenjin) road approaching a shrine】

There are about 20 very steep stone steps leading up to the shrine, and I had to crawl up them while holding on to a rope. The steps are quite rugged and sandals may cause injury, so to avoid unnecessary accidents, wear shoes that are easy to climb.

【Sugawara Shrine (Arahira Tenjin)  (main building of a) Shinto shrine】

At the top of the stairs is the grounds and shrine pavilion, which is large enough to hold about five people.

【Sugawara Shrine (Arahira Tenjin) Nearby attractions】

Arimura Lava Observatory, Kagoshima Shrine, Cape Sata Park (Misaki Shrine)

Arimura Lava Observation Deck [Kagoshima]

Kagoshima Jingu Shrine [Kagoshima]

佐多岬公園(御崎神社)【鹿児島県】

【Sugawara Shrine (Arahira Tenjin) Access】

Manager’s Comments

If you visit at sunset, you can enjoy the fantastic scenery with the setting sun in the background. The stone steps are quite rugged and sandals may cause injury. To avoid unnecessary accidents, please wear shoes that are easy to climb. You can get a red seal at “Yuxa Osumi Umi no Gakko (School of the Sea),” an accommodation facility about a minute’s drive south from the shrine.

Site/Facility Size

 (3)

Richness of Nature

 (4)

Ease of access

 (0.5)

Number of tourists

 (3)

Sugawara Shrine (Arahira Tenjin)

4014 Tenjin-cho, Kanoya, Kagoshima 891-2313, Japan

※Free parking available.

About 1 hour drive from JR Gojuichi Station

参考

菅原神社

関連投稿(Related Posts):

Arimura Lava Observation Deck [Kagoshima] Cape Sata Park (Misaki Shrine) [Kagoshima] Kagoshima Jingu Shrine [Kagoshima] Terukuni Shrine [Kagoshima]