JAPAN TRAVEL: Tokumitsu Shrine, A Historical Landmark in Kagoshima

Tokumitsu Shrine is a Shinto shrine located in Ibusuki City, Kagoshima Prefecture.

The shrine was established to honor sailor Maeda Riemon, who introduced sweet potato (Satsuma-imo) seedlings to Kagoshima back in 1705. These seedlings came from the Ryukyu Islands, a chain of islands located on the boundary of the East China Sea and the Philippine Sea.

These seedlings were very beneficial to Kagoshima in that period, as it helped prevent starvation. Sweet potatoes, or commonly known as Satsuma-imo, are known to have high nutritional value, too. Because of these seedlings, Kagoshima is now currently the largest sweet potato producer in Japan.

Tourists may visit the Tokumitsu Shrine for free.

How to get here
By foot: It is a 15-minute walk from JR Nishi-Oyama Station.
By car: It is a 10-minute drive from JR Yamakawa Station.

General Information:
Address: Yamagawa Okagashimizu 391 Ibusuki City, Kagoshima Prefecture 891-0513
Operating Hours: Open 24/7
Website: http://www.ibusuki.or.jp/tourism/view/tokkoshrine/
Contact: +81 993-35-0811

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This first appeared in Philippine Primer Vol. 36 – March 2019 issue.