Overview
Honoo-Honome Shrine is a shrine in Beppu City, Ōita Prefecture. It is a Shikinaisha, a shrine listed in ancient records of high standing, and its former rank was that of a prefectural shrine. Deeply tied to Mount Tsurumi, which rises behind the hot-spring town of Beppu, the shrine consists of three sanctuaries: the upper shrine at the summit, the middle shrine (Otake Gongen) on the mountainside, and the lower shrine (Tsurumi Gongen) at the foot. It offers travelers a chance to touch the faith placed in the sacred peak that watches over Beppu.
Highlights
- ●A prestigious history as a Shikinaisha named in Heian-period records
- ●A three-sanctuary structure: upper shrine, middle shrine, and lower shrine
- ●Faith tied to the sacred Mount Tsurumi rising behind hot-spring Beppu
- ●Traces of Shinto-Buddhist syncretism in the names Otake Gongen and Tsurumi Gongen
History
Honoo-Honome Shrine is a Shikinaisha whose name appears in Heian-period records, and it once held the rank of prefectural shrine. Formerly part of Hayami district in Bungo Province, it drew reverence as a center of mountain worship that treated Mount Tsurumi itself as a deity. This faith has been carried on across three sanctuaries: the upper shrine at the summit of Mount Tsurumi, the middle shrine (Otake Gongen) on the mountainside, and the lower shrine (Tsurumi Gongen) at the foot. For details of the enshrined deities and rituals, please refer to official sources.
Access
The shrine is located in Beppu City. The lower shrine, serving as the local sanctuary, is easy to reach from the town center, and traveling by car is convenient. The upper shrine lies within the summit area of Mount Tsurumi and is reached using the ropeway or mountain trails. When visiting all three sanctuaries, plan according to your fitness and the weather. Please check the latest access information through official sources.
Best season
The views of Mount Tsurumi are lovely in the fresh green of early summer and the autumn foliage, making a visit all the more pleasant. The summit area is colder than the lowlands, so if you aim for the upper shrine, be sure to prepare warm clothing and proper footwear. Check ritual dates and mountain operating conditions through official information in advance.
Map
33.2861, 131.4298 · Wikidata
Suggested itinerary
- 1Pay your respects at the lower shrine in central Beppu and learn its history
- 2Head up Mount Tsurumi by ropeway or trail toward the middle and upper shrines
- 3Enjoy sweeping views of Beppu Bay and the townscape from the summit
- 4After descending, soothe your travels in the Beppu hot springs
Did you know?
💡 The unusual name Honoo-Honome evokes a male and female deity of fire and conveys the enduring worship of the gods of Mount Tsurumi. The three-sanctuary layout, with shrines at the summit, mid-slope, and foot, vividly reflects a form of mountain worship in which the mountain itself is revered as a deity.
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