Tranquil ancient forest path, stone staircase
Enchanting forest trail with ancient stone steps and hidden shrine.

Momiyama Shrine’s Millennial Tree

Not far from Nagayu hot springs is a wonderful hidden shrine, as in a Ghibli movie. Guided tour.

Momiyama Keyaki
Momiyama Keyaki

Momiyama Hachiman Shrine 

Momiyama Hachimansha (籾 山 八 幡 社), in a rural village at the heart of Oita prefecture, is a sanctuary known for being a “power spot”.

The mountainous region punctuated by hot springs offers an idyllic setting for dense green nature. The shrine itself is surrounded by soft damp moss and the path lined with giant cedars.

Momiyama Keyaki
Momiyama Keyaki

A calm and mysterious atmosphere that to some visitors evokes the atmosphere of the Ghibli studio’s film Princess Mononoke. Past the stone torii at the entrance to the sanctuary, moss-covered steps lined with century-old cedars lead to the central building. 

But the main focus of this place off the beaten track is its majestic Keyaki.

The vast millennial Keyaki at Momiyama Hachiman

This tree, estimated age 1,000 years, is classified as a natural monument by Oita prefecture. With a height of 33 metres and a trunk circumference of about 11 metres, it’s one of Kyushu’s three largest Zelkova.

Momiyama Keyaki
Momiyama Keyaki

Known as Keyaki (欅, ケ ヤ キ) in Japan, the wood of the Zelkova serrata tree is renowned in cabinet-making, hence the nickname “king of trees”. The wood is more commonly called elm in France, where it’s also sought after for its hardness and beautiful grain.

The specimen at the shrine is nicknamed “Tako Keyaki” 蛸 ケ ヤ キ because its branches resemble the tentacles of an octopus (Tako in Japanese).

Momiyama Hachiman Shrine has been a place of worship since ancient times. It was already mentioned in the 7th-century “Chronicles of Japan” Nihon Shoki (日 本 書 紀). In medieval and then in modern times, different clans have ensured its durability.

Momiyama Keyaki
Momiyama Keyaki

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Who Am I

Jordy Meow
This is me!

I am Jordy Meow, a French photographer based in Tokyo. I explore offbeat places in Japan.

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In whispers of green, A windmill twirls tales untold, Red roofs fade in time. 静かな緑の中で、 風車が語らぬ物語を回し、 赤い屋根が時と共に消えていく。#windmilltales #rusticcharm #natureandcity #urbanserenity #japancontrast #offbeatjapan #japan
Rust cliffs kiss the sea, Turquoise whispers secrets deep— Nature's vivid brush. 崖が海と キスをしながら蒼き 自然の筆。 #offbeatjapan #japan #coastallandscapes #volcanicisland #naturelovers #stunningviews #wanderlust #cliffside
Rust embraces gray tones, Moss dances in vivid green— Nature's quiet claim.錆びた灰色に抱かれ 苔が鮮やかに踊る 自然の静かなる主張#offbeatjapan #japan #industrialart #rustandruin #naturewins #urbanexploration #mossybeauty
Concrete gray fortress Amidst the blue sea's embrace— Silent echoes speak. コンクリートの城 青い海の抱擁の中で— 静かな声が響く。 #Gunkanjima #HashimaIsland #BattleshipIsland #Nagasaki #Urbex #offbeatjapan #japan
Ancient coaster sleeps, Twilight whispers pinks and blues, Nature reclaims all. 崩れたコースターが眠る、 薄桃色と青の夜明けのささやき、 自然が全てを取り戻す。 #offbeatjapan #japan #abandonedplaces #rollercoaster #twilightbeauty #nostalgia #naturestriumph #forgottenamusement
Pink blossoms whisper, Quiet streets cradle old tales, Sky and mountains dream.桃の花囁く、 静かな道に古い物語を抱え、 空と山は夢見る。#cherryblossoms #japanesetradition #countrysidecharm #historicaljapan #sakura #offbeatjapan #japan
Dust veils whispered past, Ghostly echoes cradle dreams, Where silence presides.静寂の中で、 囁かれた夢は、 埃に包まれる。#offbeatjapan #japan #urbandecay #abandonedplaces #hauntingbeauty #forgottenworlds #silenthalls #explorejapan
Yellow noren glow, In a calm, verdant alley— Silent history.---黄色の暖簾、 静かな緑の小路に— 静寂の歴史。---#japanesehistory #traditionaljapan #serenealley #historicdistrict #japanesearchitecture #offbeatjapan #japan