Aso Shrine! A Dog-Friendly Stroll Awed by the Giant Shimenawa and the Historic Romon

I recently visited Aso Shrine in Aso City, Kumamoto! It was a brilliantly clear day. While the piercing blue Aso sky is spectacular, the sunlight was honestly quite strong, making me worry if it was a bit too hot for Elmo.

Aso Shrine is famously known for sustaining significant damage during the 2016 Kumamoto Earthquake. Many of you might have felt a pang of sorrow seeing the images on the news. I had been concerned for a long time, and I was finally able to see its newly reborn form with my own eyes.

Maintaining its solemn, historic atmosphere while feeling fresh and resilient, I’ll share the vibe of the “Aso Shrine of today” as Elmo and I experienced it.

An Imposing “Black Romon” Brimming with History: Simply Cool…

After parking the car, we headed straight into the grounds. The first thing that appeared before us was the famous Romon.

Seeing it in person, its presence is so overwhelming it leaves you speechless. Being one of the “Three Great Romon Gates of Japan,” its height and sense of gravity are immense. The deep, heavy “black” of the wood speaks of its long history. Its form, beautifully restored after the disaster, had the dignity of a guardian deity that has long protected the town of Aso.

Thinking, “They really fixed all of this…” made me feel quite emotional. The intricate carvings and the texture of the wood are simply sophisticated and cool! This presence, steeped in history, was far more powerful than what you see in photos.

On the way to the area for prayer, just passing through this gate made me feel a mysterious surge of power, as if my posture straightened naturally.

A Masterpiece of Volume! The Sacred Power of the Giant Shimenawa at the Haiden

After passing through the Romon, we moved toward the place of worship. What caught my attention most there was the Shimenawa decorating the Haiden.

It was incredibly thick! I’ve visited many shrines, but I rarely see a Shimenawa with such volume. It had such an impact that I stood there for a while, wondering, “How did they even braid this?”

The “sacred atmosphere” exuded by this Shimenawa seemed to powerfully envelop the entire Haiden. Just being in this space made me feel as though my heart was being purified. Offering a prayer under this thick Shimenawa gave me a sense of reassurance, as if my wishes would surely be delivered.

Strolling with Elmo in Search of Shade: Witnessing the “Now” of the Shrine’s Recovery

Now, the sunlight in Aso that day was truly intense! To keep Elmo away from the hot asphalt and ground, we walked slowly, weaving through the shade created by the trees on the grounds.

As we walked, I noticed there were still several areas undergoing construction. I could feel firsthand the scars of the disaster and the effort of the people trying to rise from it. While completed beauty is wonderful, I felt that witnessing the process of reclaiming its original form, step by step, is a significant reason to visit during this time.

As for Elmo, he looked relieved whenever we stepped into the shade, and the time we spent feeling the cool breeze together was a simple, happy moment.

The fact that there are many spots to enjoy with your dog—such as the prayer areas and the “Mizuki-meguri” (touring the water fountains) in the nearby shrine town—is another great charm of Aso Shrine.

There are also several shops nearby serving the local specialty, “Aka-ushi Burgers,” which I highly recommend!

Inspired by the Strength of Aso Shrine

Aso Shrine was full of highlights, from the Romon, which has made a powerful recovery, to the giant Shimenawa with its overwhelming presence. While feeling the depth of history, I also felt a certain vibrancy—as if the shrine is moving toward the future—which gave me a lot of energy personally.

Because the sun was so strong this time, it ended up being a short walk in search of shade. Next time, I’d like to visit in a cooler season and take a leisurely stroll through the shrine town while enjoying the local gourmet food with Elmo.

For those looking for a spot to go out with their dog in Kyushu, this is a truly wonderful place that I highly recommend visiting at least once.