Nitta Shrine is located on the top of 70 meter high Mount Shinki (神亀山), and it is famous for a long approach to the shrine.
It enshrines Ninigi-no-mikoto (瓊瓊杵尊), the grandson of Amaterasu (天照大神), who sent him down to earth to plant rice there from the heaven.
This shrine used to be Ichi-no-miya (一ノ宮 / Shinto shrine with the highest shrine rank in Satsuma), and it has been worshiped for traffic safety, good harvests and good fishing.
There are two komainus (狛犬 / shrine guardian dog statues) on the top of the stone steps and it is said if pregnant women pat the komainu on the head, they will have an easy delivery.
There are more things to see at this shrine such as two kappa (河童 / legendary creatures, a type of water sprite) statues which have a mysterious story and a sacred camphor tree.
There is Tumulus which is called Enosanryo (可愛山稜) behind the shrine. It is said that this tumulus is the tomb of Ninigi-no-mikoto (瓊瓊杵尊) and it is affiliated to the Imperial Household Ministry.
Nitta Shrine Infomation
Address: 1935-2 Miyauchi-cho, Satsuma-sendai city
Tel: 0996-22-4722
Free Car Park: 500 spaces
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