![薩摩川內新田神社](https://satsumasendai.gr.jp/lang/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/nitta-shrine-001-1024x768.jpg)
Located near the town center, Nitta Shrine is regarded as the top shrine in Satsuma. Although visitors must climb 322 steps to reach it, the path is shaded by greenery, creating a serene approach to the sanctuary.
![薩摩川內新田神社的階梯](https://satsumasendai.gr.jp/lang/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/nitta-shrine-stairs01.jpg)
![薩摩川內新田神社的階梯](https://satsumasendai.gr.jp/lang/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/nitta-shrine-stairs02.jpg)
Nitta Shrine leaves an impression that "God really resides here". It's a unique shrine compared to other touristy ones, with a serene and enigmatic atmosphere accompanied by the rustling of grass and gentle breeze.
![薩摩川內新田神社的繪馬](https://satsumasendai.gr.jp/lang/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/nitta-shrine-ema01-1024x577.jpg)
![薩摩川內新田神社內觀](https://satsumasendai.gr.jp/lang/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/nitta-shrine-ema02-1024x768.jpg)
![](https://satsumasendai.gr.jp/lang/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/94030183_575974433334816_7353346338488057856_n.jpg)
Nitta Shrine hosts numerous festivals every year. Be sure not to miss out on these meaningful events!
Festivals held at Nitta Shrine
January 7th: Annual Martial Arts Festival
![薩摩川內新田神社武射祭](https://satsumasendai.gr.jp/lang/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/nitta-shrine-event-01-1024x577.jpg)
![薩摩川內新田神社武射祭](https://satsumasendai.gr.jp/lang/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/nitta-shrine-event-01-1024x577.jpg)
![薩摩川內新田神社武射祭](https://satsumasendai.gr.jp/lang/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/nitta-shrine-event-02-1024x577.jpg)
![薩摩川內新田神社武射祭](https://satsumasendai.gr.jp/lang/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/nitta-shrine-event-02-1024x577.jpg)
The Martial Arts Festival takes place annually on January 7th at Nitta Shrine to wish for good health throughout the year. The festival, which has been celebrated for over 600 years, features a remarkable performance by local children who have dedicated over three months of practice for this event.
![薩摩川內新田神社武射祭中參加者與鳥居](https://satsumasendai.gr.jp/lang/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/nitta-shrine-event-03-768x1024.jpg)
![薩摩川內新田神社武射祭中參加者與鳥居](https://satsumasendai.gr.jp/lang/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/nitta-shrine-event-03-768x1024.jpg)
![薩摩川內新田神社武射祭中參加者](https://satsumasendai.gr.jp/lang/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/nitta-shrine-event-04-768x1024.jpg)
![薩摩川內新田神社武射祭中參加者](https://satsumasendai.gr.jp/lang/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/nitta-shrine-event-04-768x1024.jpg)
The children stand before the 1.5-meter target, and then hold their breath and concentrate, aiming for success. Whether they hit the target or not, the initial and final salutes are of utmost importance.
It's heartwarming to see the satisfied smiles on the children's faces when they hit the target!
January: New Year's Day Celebration
![薩摩川內新田神社新年參拜綁上籤文](https://satsumasendai.gr.jp/lang/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/nitta-shrine-newyear-01-1024x577.jpg)
![薩摩川內新田神社新年參拜綁上籤文](https://satsumasendai.gr.jp/lang/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/nitta-shrine-newyear-01-1024x577.jpg)
Towards the end of the year, my Japanese friends often ask me, "Where will you go for hatsumode?" In the past, visiting a shrine only on New Year's Day was referred to as "Hatsumode," but it now encompasses the period from New Year's Day to January 3rd.
![薩摩川內新田神社的階梯](https://satsumasendai.gr.jp/lang/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/nitta-shrine-newyear-03-1024x768.jpg)
![薩摩川內新田神社的階梯](https://satsumasendai.gr.jp/lang/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/nitta-shrine-newyear-03-1024x768.jpg)
![薩摩川內新田神社初詣人潮](https://satsumasendai.gr.jp/lang/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/nitta-shrine-newyear-04-1024x768.jpg)
![薩摩川內新田神社初詣人潮](https://satsumasendai.gr.jp/lang/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/nitta-shrine-newyear-04-1024x768.jpg)
Even on the day after New Year's Day, Nitta Shrine still attracts many visitors. Many food stalls also appear, including a shop selling "Kaiten Manju" that I have never seen before.
![薩摩川內新田神社可愛山陵](https://satsumasendai.gr.jp/lang/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/nitta-shrine-newyear-05.jpg)
![薩摩川內新田神社可愛山陵](https://satsumasendai.gr.jp/lang/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/nitta-shrine-newyear-05.jpg)
![薩摩川內新田神社可愛山陵](https://satsumasendai.gr.jp/lang/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/nitta-shrine-newyear-06.jpg)
![薩摩川內新田神社可愛山陵](https://satsumasendai.gr.jp/lang/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/nitta-shrine-newyear-06.jpg)
![薩摩川內新田神社可愛山陵](https://satsumasendai.gr.jp/lang/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/nitta-shrine-newyear-07-1024x768.jpg)
![薩摩川內新田神社可愛山陵](https://satsumasendai.gr.jp/lang/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/nitta-shrine-newyear-07-1024x768.jpg)
The great-grandfather of the first emperor, Emperor Jinmu, is enshrined here.
![薩摩川內新田神社景色](https://satsumasendai.gr.jp/lang/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/nitta-shrine-newyear-08-1024x768.jpg)
![薩摩川內新田神社景色](https://satsumasendai.gr.jp/lang/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/nitta-shrine-newyear-08-1024x768.jpg)
When my friends visit Kagoshima, I ask them to take a direct flight from Taipei to Kagoshima around noon and meet me at Sendai Station.
After dropping off their luggage at around 2:00 pm, we head to downtown for some delicious food, such as Kanda Butcher's croquettes, Yamagataya's yakisoba, and taiyaki.
Once we're full, we take a bus from Sendai Station to Nitta Shrine. This always becomes our first-day routine and the start of our Kagoshima trip.
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