Hachiman Kamado Shrine

A shrine located in Beppu City, Oita Prefecture, where various legends remain. Including the main enshrined deity, as many as thirty-six deities are worshipped here, making it a rare shrine even on a nationwide scale.

A venerable shrine founded in 727

It is said to have begun when, during the reign of Emperor Nintoku from 312 to 399, Prince Yamato Takeru and Empress Jingu placed a temporary palace (a provisional palace facility) during their western expedition and enshrined 33 deities, including Kunitokotachi-no-Mikoto and Amaterasu Omikami. In 727, the divine spirits of Emperor Chuai and Emperor Ojin descended, and in 826 the divine spirit of Empress Jingu was welcomed from Usa, making it a shrine that enshrines 36 deities.

Within the precincts stands a sacred tree about 500 years old, and if you purchase a “Tamayori Omamori” (Soul-Receiving Amulet), you can even enter the hollow trunk of this sacred tree. It is popular as a power spot where you can receive the power of the sacred tree.

The legend of the man-eating ogre is famous

Long ago in the Kamado district, a man-eating ogre would appear every night. When the troubled villagers prayed to the deity of Hachiman Kamado Shrine to defeat the ogre, the deity conveyed the following to the ogre: “If you can build a hundred stone steps in one night, we will offer you a sacrifice every year. If you cannot, you must promise never again to come down to the village.” The ogre spent the whole night piling up stones and building the steps, but just as it had completed the ninety-ninth step, dawn broke. Startled by the morning sun, the ogre fled, and it is said that, in accordance with the promise, it never again appeared in the village. For this reason, the lower stone steps are carefully constructed, while the upper ones are said to be roughly made. In the precincts there also remains a stone sandal that the ogre forgot when it fled.

Because of this legend and the name “Kamado,” as well as the “Dragon Water Deity” painted on the ceiling of the worship hall, which resembles the dragon that appears in the Water Breathing techniques used by Tanjiro, the shrine has become a topic of conversation as a sacred place for “Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba.” Although it has not been officially announced as a sacred site, many fans visit the shrine.

Connection with the J.League team Oita Trinita

Hachiman Kamado Shrine also has a deep connection with “turtles,” having been founded in the Shinki era and with its shrine buildings constructed on a mountain called Mt. Kameyama. Within the precincts there is the “Goshinkame (Nade-kame),” a sacred turtle statue said to grant wishes if you face the lucky direction and stroke it. It is also said to be the place where Nii-tan, the mascot character of Oita Trinita, was born, and there are banners and other items related to the J.League within the grounds. Prayers for certain victory by the coach and players are also offered here, making it a sacred place for soccer fans as well.