Let's visit the most famous shrine in Satsuma area! @Nitta Shrine

2023 3/02

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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 — Out of all the shrines, I find the serene Nitta Shrine nestled in the woods the most appealing.

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 — I adore the ema with heart and turtle shapes.

薩摩川內新田神社內觀 — I adore the ema with heart and turtle shapes.

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Nitta Shrine

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Nitta Shrine hosts numerous festivals every year. Be sure not to miss out on these meaningful events!

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Festivals held at Nitta Shrine

January 7th: Annual Martial Arts Festival

薩摩川內新田神社武射祭 — The traditional clothing is very sacred.

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 — After the ceremony, the children descend the steps and get ready to shoot an arrow.

薩摩川內新田神社武射祭中參加者 — After the ceremony, the children descend the steps and get ready to shoot an arrow.

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 — According to my friends, the ideal spot to tie the omikuji is high up on a tree branch.

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.

薩摩川內新田神社初詣人潮 — The stairs with more than 300 steps are an excellent workout!

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.

Notes: These snacks, such as Kaiten Manju, Obanyaki, and Imagawayaki, are similar to red bean cakes in Taiwan.

薩摩川內新田神社可愛山陵 — The pronunciation here is not "kawaii", but "eno"!

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.