Kamafuta Shrine

Itate Tsuwamononushi Shrine in Ei, Minamikyushu City, Kagoshima, is affectionately known by its other name, Kamafuta Shrine. It enshrines deities including Susanoo no Mikoto and is famous for a unique form of worship called the pot lid wish, in which you pray with a pot lid balanced on your head, and it is said to bless victory, good fortune and protection from misfortune. It became known nationwide after members of the Japan national soccer team visited, yet the small shrine facing the sea remains plain and unspoiled, a quiet spot where people come to wish for victory.

Highlights

• The pot lid wish, in which you balance a pot lid on your head and walk about 10 meters from the gate to the offering box without dropping it.
• A setting surrounded by reefs and the sea. The grounds, where the sound of the waves echoes, are filled with fresh air.
• The superb view of Mount Kaimon, the Satsuma Fuji, from the Cape of Hope behind the shrine.
• A form of worship found only here, for wishing on victory and good fortune.

Enjoying the Seasons

In summer the blue sea and sky open up, and there are many days when Mount Kaimon stands out clearly. From autumn into winter the air clears and the view grows even better, and the shrine bustles with people coming for New Year visits and to pray before exams. The sea breeze is pleasant all year, and on a clear day worship feels good in any season.

Access and Basic Information

• Location: 6827 Beppu, Ei-cho, Minamikyushu City, Kagoshima
• By train: about 15 minutes on foot from Ei Okawa Station on the JR Ibusuki Makurazaki Line
• By car: parking available
• Worship: grounds open freely

Practical Travel Notes

• Allow about 30 minutes to an hour, including the pot lid wish and the view from the Cape of Hope.
• The trick to the pot lid wish is to walk the roughly 10 meters from the gate to the offering box slowly and quietly so the lid does not fall from your head. On windy days the lid falls easily, so enjoy it without overdoing things.
• As a cape shrine facing the sea, mind your clothing on windy or sunny days.
• Sights of the southern Satsuma Peninsula such as Mount Kaimon, Ibusuki hot springs and Nagasakibana are nearby, so touring them together fills a full day.
• Worship is free. In nearby Ibusuki, experiences such as the sand steam baths are popular.

A Quick Tip

The trick to the pot lid wish is to walk slowly and quietly so the lid does not fall from your head. On windy days the lid falls easily, so enjoy it without overdoing things. After worship, walk out to the Cape of Hope and take in the magnificent view of Mount Kaimon and the sea.

📚 Sources

This information is based on public materials from local governments such as Minamikyushu City and tourism associations, and on the shrine's public information and on-site guidance. As a seaside shrine, the atmosphere of worship changes with the weather. 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: A jacket, as the seaside can be windy; some small cash if you receive an amulet
• Suggested route: Try the distinctive worship of praying with a pot lid on your head, as noted in the article, and enjoy it with the seaside scenery
• Access: Mainly by car; check the amulet office hours in advance
• Budget: Worship is free; amulets from a few hundred yen is a guide