Unagihime Shrine, a Hidden Power Spot of Yufuin and a Forest of Matchmaking

A little away from the bustle of Yufuin hot springs, in a quiet stretch of forest, sits Unagihime Shrine. Affectionately known by its other name, Rokushogu, it enshrines six deities including Kuninotokotachi no Mikoto. It is a historic shrine listed in records dating back to the Heian period.

The origin of its name comes from a legend that, when Yufuin was once a marshland and people struggled to control the water, they enshrined the eel as a spirit of the swamps. The faith of a land deeply tied to water is carved into the very name of the shrine.

Highlights

• A giant tree stump — On the grounds remain the traces of a sacred tree toppled by Typhoon No. 19 in 1991. It is said some of the great cedars were over 600 years old, and the sheer presence of the stump lets you feel the power of nature.
• The guardian forest — The tree-lined approach has cool, clear air, full of the purity that belongs to the foot of Mount Yufu.
• A horse-carriage stop — It lies on the route of the tsujibasha horse carriage, a Yufuin specialty, so many people stop by while sightseeing.

Enjoying the Seasons

Fresh greenery in spring and red foliage in autumn color the forest, and the scenery with Mount Yufu as a backdrop becomes all the more beautiful. From autumn into winter, mornings can be wrapped in rising mist and a dreamlike atmosphere. If you stop by between Yufuin sightseeing, you can meet another face of the hot-spring town in a quiet hour with few people around.

Access and Basic Information

• Location: 2220 Kawakami, Yufuin-cho, Yufu, Oita Prefecture
• Access: About 15 minutes on foot from JR Yufuin Station. By car, about 10 minutes from the Yufuin interchange on the Oita Expressway.
• Parking: Available
• Visiting: Grounds open freely

Practical Travel Notes

• Recommended season and time of day: Fresh green in spring and red leaves in autumn are beautiful, and early mornings from autumn into winter, wrapped in mist, are especially dreamlike. Although it sits in the popular resort of Yufuin, worshippers are not many, so early hours are recommended if you seek quiet.
• Time needed: Worshipping at the grounds and looking around the guardian forest and the sacred tree stump takes about 15 to 30 minutes. It is easy to drop in as part of a walking course from Yufuin Station.
• Nearby real spots: Within walking distance is Oogosha, a branch shrine outside the grounds known for a cedar over 1,000 years old. It is close to popular spots such as Yufuin Station, Yunotsubo Kaido, and Lake Kinrin, making it easy to fit into a town stroll.
• Budget sense: The grounds can be worshipped at freely, so there are no major costs. It helps to have some coins ready if you wish to receive a goshuin seal or an omamori charm.

A Quick Tip

Yufuin is a popular destination, but not so many people make their way to this shrine. When you grow a little tired of strolling the main street, head for the forest approach. Just taking a deep breath in the dappled sunlight will lift your spirits. Combining it with the great cedar of nearby Oogosha lets you feel Yufuin's nature and faith more deeply.

📚 Sources

For information on Unagihime Shrine (Rokushogu), the main references are the shrine's own guidance and the tourism guidance published by Yufu City and the Yufuin Onsen Tourism Association. The stump of the sacred tree felled by a typhoon in 1991, the fact that it lies on the route of Yufuin's famous horse-drawn carriage, and the great cedar of nearby Ogosha within walking distance can be traced through such guidance and on-site explanations. Carriage operation may change, so please confirm the latest details through official sources before you visit.

Visitor Checklist

• Estimated time: Worshiping and taking in the forested grounds and the sacred-tree stump takes about 15 to 30 minutes, an easy stop as part of a walk from Yufuin Station.
• What to bring: Carry coins in case you wish to receive a goshuin seal or amulet. Since you walk the forest approach, comfortable shoes are recommended.
• Suggested route: Reach it about 15 minutes on foot from Yufuin Station, tour the forested approach and the sacred-tree stump to worship, and combine with the great cedar of nearby Ogosha (over 1,000 years old) noted in the article, folding it into a stroll of Yunotsubo Kaido and Kinrinko Lake.
• Crowd tips: Though in popular Yufuin, visitors here are few, so early hours are best if you seek quiet.