Aso Shrine

Aso Shrine stands in the Ichinomiya district of Aso City and is one of the oldest and most important shrines in the Aso region. Its two-story romon gate, first built in the mid-19th century, is counted among the largest of its kind in Japan. The gate and several halls collapsed in the Kumamoto earthquake of April 2016. Restoration was carried out in stages, reusing about 70 percent of the original timber while adding structural reinforcement, and the rebuilt gate was completed in December 2023 after about seven years and eight months of work. The shrine sits along a horizontal approach lined with a small town of shops. Entry to the grounds is free.