Hakozaki Hachiman Shrine

Hakozaki Hachiman Shrine in Izumi City, Kagoshima, is known for the largest bell in Japan, about 4 meters tall, 3.4 meters in diameter and weighing about 5 tons. It enshrines Emperor Ojin as the Hachiman deity, and fitting for Izumi, famous as a place where cranes migrate, the great bell bears a relief of cranes and their young in flight. Made of bronze and fully covered in gold leaf, it was dedicated in 1998 to mark occasions such as the two thousandth year since the founding of Ise Grand Shrine, and it is beloved as the great bell for granting great wishes. Large crane statues greet worshippers in the grounds, making this a lesser-known power spot unique to Izumi with many distinctive sights.

Highlights

• The largest bell in Japan, about 4 meters tall and weighing about 5 tons. It is made of bronze and fully covered in gold leaf, its surface bearing a relief of eight cranes that migrate to Izumi.
• The smallest bell in Japan, kept in the Treasure Bell Hall. Being able to meet both the largest and the smallest bell in Japan is a charm unique to Hakozaki Hachiman Shrine.
• The large crane statues that greet you at the entrance to the grounds. They symbolize Izumi, the land of cranes.
• The striking presence of the great bell, especially distinctive even among the many largest in Japan that gather in Izumi.

Enjoying the Seasons

Every winter many cranes migrate to the Izumi Plain, and the area around the shrine is wrapped in the atmosphere of the land of cranes. During the New Year season the shrine bustles with worshippers wishing for great wishes to be granted, and from spring into autumn you can worship calmly and at leisure. Visiting during the crane season together with crane watching is also recommended.

Access and Basic Information

• Location: 46 Kamichishiki-cho, Izumi City, Kagoshima
• Worship: grounds open freely, admission free
• By car: parking available, free
• A location easy to reach from the town center of Izumi

Practical Travel Notes

• Allow about 30 minutes to ring the great bell and see the small bell. An hour is plenty even for a leisurely walk of the grounds.
• You can actually ring the great bell. Experience its deep, resonant tone as you wish for your great wish to be granted.
• If crane watching is your aim, winter, the peak of migration from roughly November to February, is best. Many cranes, a Special Natural Monument, fly to the nearby Izumi Plain.
• Both admission and parking are free, so costs are minimal.
• The town of Izumi is dotted with sights such as the samurai residence district, so touring them together makes for a journey unique to Izumi.

A Quick Tip

You can actually ring the great bell, so be sure to experience its tone. If you visit in winter, touring it together with the nearby crane migration grounds on the Izumi Plain makes for a journey unique to Izumi. Walking the grounds while comparing the largest bell in Japan with the smallest is also an enjoyable moment.

📚 Sources

This information is based on public materials from local governments such as Izumi City and tourism associations, and on the shrine's public information and on-site guidance and history notices. Reception hours at the amulet office and events may change. Fees, hours, and access may change, so please check official information before you set out.

Visitor Checklist

• Estimated time: About 20 to 30 minutes to worship within the grounds
• What to bring: Some small cash if you receive an amulet or a goshuin seal; wear comfortable shoes
• Suggested route: Tour the highlights in the grounds, such as the giant bell mentioned in the article
• Access: Convenient by car from within Izumi City
• Budget: Worship is free; amulets and seals run from a few hundred to around a thousand yen