Tenso Shrine

Located on the southeastern shore of Lake Kinrin, Tensojinja Shrine is a small yet spiritually rich shrine steeped in history and sacred atmosphere. According to legend, it was founded by Emperor Keikō, the 12th Emperor of Japan, to enshrine the ancestral deities of the imperial family. The emperor is said to have instructed Hayatsuhime, who resided in Hayami District of Bungo Province (present-day Ōita Prefecture), to establish the shrine.

The shrine stands quietly behind the lake, with the main sanctuary dedicated to Tensojin, the ancestral deity of heaven. On the right stands a sub-shrine for Yasaka Shrine, and on the left, one for Konpira Shrine, symbolizing the harmonious fusion of beliefs that bless the land, ward off evil, and protect travelers and sailors. In front of the shrine, a stone torii gate rises from the lake’s surface, its reflection shimmering in the water. When morning mist envelops the scene, the entire lakeside transforms into an ethereal, mythical landscape—one of Yufuin’s most mystical and iconic sights.

Within the shrine grounds stands a giant cedar tree, revered as the sacred tree (goshinboku). This ancient tree, designated as a Natural Monument of Ōita Prefecture, is believed to possess divine power. Clear spring water flows from between the stone walls, and the beautifully crafted temizuya (purification basin) showcases the artistry of local craftsmanship.

A dragon deity legend connects Tensojinja with Lake Kinrin. Long ago, a homeless dragon is said to have prayed to the heavenly deity for a resting place, promising to make pure water flow forever from the earth to protect the land and its people. The heavenly deity granted the wish and offered the lake as the dragon’s dwelling. Since then, springs have continuously bubbled from beneath the lake and the shrine grounds, nourishing the entire Yufuin Basin—a blessing that endures to this day.