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. Fitting for Izumi, famous as a place where cranes migrate, the great bell is decorated with cranes and their young in flight, and it was dedicated 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. Its surface is decorated with gold leaf and crane motifs. - The large crane statues that greet you at the entrance to the grounds. They symbolize Izumi, the land of cranes. - The history connected to Shimazu Tadahisa, ancestor of the Shimazu clan, who came down from Kamakura. - 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 - By car: parking available, free - A location easy to reach from the town center of 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 searching for the crane motifs is also an enjoyable moment.