Page 251 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide: Japan

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The fuming crater of Nakadake, one of the five volcanic cones in the Mount Aso caldera
Kumamoto the epithet hi-no- u Takachiho hope that, by association, some
kuni (“the land of fire”). Takachiho of the wisdom and power of the
Below these peaks, the caldera gods will rub off on them.
is dotted with towns set among Miyazaki prefecture. * 15,000. The area’s main shrine,
_ Amano Iwato Shrine Festival
forests, grasslands, bamboo Takachiho Jinja is famous for
groves, and hot springs. Arriving (May 2–3, Sep 22–23); Yokagura Night its ancient cryptomeria trees, a
Dance (Sat evening mid­Nov–mid­Feb).
tour buses pass a curious, grass­ common feature of Japanese
covered mountain resembling The Takachiho mountain region, shrines and temple grounds.
an inverted rice bowl, aptly a place of homage for those It was founded by the 11th
named Komezuka (Rice with an affection for Japan’s Emperor of Japan around
Mound), and often stop at the ancient pantheon of gods and 1900 years ago. The shrine
pretty Kusasenri Meadow. goddesses, is alive with the stages nightly extracts of
A cable car runs to the top of resonances of legend. Most of Kagura lasting half an hour
Nakadake, providing, on clear the sights are connected with and giving a rare opportunity
days, awesome views into Japan’s rich mythology. to witness a performance in
the depths of the crater Kagura, a mime­dance such atmospheric surround­
and its malodorous said to have been first ings. Visitors usually try to
green lake. Hikers can performed by the Sun factor into their itinerary a
follow a path to the Goddess Amaterasu rowboat trip along Takachiho
summit for a closer look. Omikami, is thought to Gorge, with its scenic rock
A popular hiking route have originated here. forma tions and waterfalls.
starts at the top of The cave into which
the ropeway, Amaterasu vanished,
proceeds to Mount Shrine in the Mount casting the world into
Takadake around the Aso caldera a contemporary
crater rim, and gloom until she
descends to Sensui Gorge. could be lured out, faces Ama
Mount Aso Volcanic no Iwato Shrine, a pavilion­
Museum, at the base of style shrine noted for a sacred
Nakadake, offers a fascinating tree that stands in its grounds.
preview of the mountain even A short walk from here, Ama
when the crater is closed due no Yasugawara is the grotto
to a high level of dangerous, where the gods are supposed
sulfuric fumes. Two cameras to have convened in order to
on the crater wall relay con­ devise a way to entice the Sun
tinuous images of the cone’s Goddess from her lair. The
volcanic activity. entrance to the cavern is next
to a clear, pebble­strewn river.
P Mount Aso Volcanic Museum Many visitors have placed Waterfall in the picturesque
Open 9am–5pm daily. & miniature cairns there in the Takachiho Gorge
The volcanic cone of Komezuka, Mount Aso

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