A Note from Chizuru — August 2026
This story was originally written in Japanese in December 2017.
Reading it again now, I realized that what I wanted to remember was not simply Kagoshima Jingu itself, but the feeling of being there—the local voices, the festivals, the changing seasons, and the warmth that somehow made the place feel familiar to me.
Rather than rewriting the story completely from today’s point of view, I decided to share it in English while keeping the feelings I had at the time.
So this is a small piece of Kirishima as I experienced it in December 2017.
Following a Christmas Tree to Kagoshima Jingu
One day, while looking out over the city from Shiroyama Park, I noticed something unusual on Hotel Kyocera.
The illuminated windows had been arranged to look like a Christmas tree.
Hotel Kyocera often creates window displays for seasonal events, and they have long been one of those small things that local people can enjoy from a distance.
There are only so many windows to work with, so sometimes I find myself staring at the building and wondering, What does that say?
But perhaps trying to figure it out is part of the fun.
Back then, the hotel also had restaurants, hot spring facilities, a pool, a gym, and large halls used for parties and events.
Local people often affectionately called it Hotekyo, a shortened form of Hotel Kyocera.
Since we happened to be passing nearby that day, we decided to continue on to Kagoshima Jingu.
Scenes Along the Way — December 2017
Kagoshima Jingu — A Place That Somehow Feels Familiar
Not far from Hotel Kyocera is Kagoshima Jingu, one of the historic shrines of Kirishima.
I had heard that its history reaches back even further than that of Kirishima Jingu.
But when I visit, history is not necessarily the first thing I think about.
For me, Kagoshima Jingu has always felt strangely familiar.
It is difficult to explain.
It isn’t my hometown shrine, and I did not grow up here.
And yet there is something about the grounds, the trees, the approach to the shrine, and the people who come and go that gives me a quiet feeling of familiarity.
Perhaps that is why it became one of the places I liked to visit again and again.
Hatsuuma Festival — When Spring Begins to Feel Close
Kagoshima Jingu is also known for seasonal festivals.
One of them is the Hatsuuma Festival.
During the festival, beautifully decorated horses wear bells and ornaments and move rhythmically to traditional music.
The sight of the horses stepping along with the music is charming in itself.
But for me, the festival has always meant something more than simply watching the horses.
Local people used to say:
“When Hatsuuma is over, spring arrives.”
And somehow, it really did feel that way.
The wind would begin to feel softer.
The landscape would slowly change.
Flowers would begin appearing across Kirishima.
After winter, the whole area seemed to open itself toward spring.
A Glimpse of the Hatsuuma Festival
This video gives a glimpse of the atmosphere of the Hatsuuma Festival at Kagoshima Jingu.
Watch the Hatsuuma Festival video on YouTube →
What I Would Really Like Visitors to Notice
The horses at the Hatsuuma Festival are lovely.
The shrine is historic.
And spring in Kirishima can be beautiful.
But if someone asked me what I would most like a visitor to experience, my answer might be something less obvious.
I would like them to notice the people.
The smiles of local families.
The sound of Kagoshima dialect all around them.
Children, parents, grandparents, friends and neighbors sharing the same day.
The small kindnesses that no one seems to think are particularly special.
When I first came to Kyushu and Kagoshima, one of the things that stayed with me was the feeling that kindness and consideration were simply woven into everyday life.
No one seemed to be performing it for visitors.
It was simply there.
And at festivals like Hatsuuma, that warmth becomes easier to see.
Not Polished — And Perhaps That Is Part of the Charm
Some places in this part of Kagoshima may not feel polished in the way that major tourist destinations do.
The facilities may not always be the newest.
Everything may not be designed for visitors.
But perhaps that is part of what allows you to feel something different here.
There is a warmth that can be difficult to create intentionally.
A sense that people are simply living their ordinary lives, and that for a short while, you have been allowed to stand quietly beside them.
For me, that feeling has often been more memorable than perfect facilities or sophisticated attractions.
It is one of the things that made Kagoshima feel special to me.
And perhaps it is one of the reasons I kept wanting to discover more of this place.
A Note for Visitors in 2026
This story reflects my impressions of Kagoshima Jingu and Kirishima in December 2017.
Festival dates, event details, hotel facilities, opening hours, transportation, access information, and other details may have changed since then.
In particular, the Hatsuuma Festival is held according to its own annual schedule, so please check current official information if you are planning a visit.
What has not changed for me is the feeling behind this story.
Kagoshima Jingu is worth visiting for its history and festivals.
But sometimes the most memorable part of a journey isn’t the place itself.
It is the sound of local voices.
A smile from someone you have never met before.
The changing air of a new season.
And the strange feeling that a place you have never called home can somehow feel familiar.
Originally published in Japanese in December 2017.
Read the original Japanese article →
出張や観光で霧島に来られた方で、
静かに過ごせる場所を探している方は、こちらもご覧ください。
