Restored Aso Shrine and Mt. Aso Nakadake Crater
By October, it suddenly started to feel like autumn. My son invited me on a drive to Mt. Aso , so off we went. We had a hearty lunch at a restaurant near Aso Shrine, then made our way to the shrine itself, now finally restored after the devastation of the big earthquake. Standing there, it was hard to imagine the scale of damage the shrine once suffered. The towering sacred trees that used to dominate the caldera plain must have been magnificent. The rebuilt rōmon (tower gate) looks as imposing as ever, showing no trace of the destruction. Visitors from overseas were quietly circling the shrine buildings, following the custom of making three rounds. It was a solemn sight. Panels along the approach explained the ongoing restoration of the shrine’s main sanctuaries, designated as Important Cultural Properties. The craftsmanship of the carpenters—especially the shrine builders—is truly impressive. Wherever possible, original mat...