Film: [Forest of Fireworks] (2011)
Point: 2619 Kamishikiro, Takamori-cho, Kumamoto-A-gun, Japan
Climate: Temperate oceanic climate
Features: Ancient, mysterious ghost
Opening hours: Open all day
Admission: Free
Suggested visit time: Half a day
Directions: Take the train from Kumamoto Station to Tachino Station, where you will transfer to the Minami Aso Railway to Takamori Station, then transfer to a bus and get off at Nakahara Station
When I was a child, there were always many fantasies. For example, you will feel that the forest in the countryside must be full of monsters.
When the girl Hotaru was a child, she broke into such a mysterious forest and met a white-haired teenager named Silver.
Since then, every summer vacation, she will come here and spend it with Silver
Silver is a monster living in the forest, but he is not fierce at all, he is gentle, kind, quiet and beautiful, it is a childhood dream.
It's also a dream all summer.
——Forced to be full of ——
In the movie, the place where Silver lives, the place where he meets the girl, and the place where he finally disappears is based on the Sakaimi Kumano Shrine.
▲The entrance to the shrine
The shrine is very old, existing as early as the Oda Nobunaga period, and the specific year of construction is no longer known.
During the Tenshō period, the site was destroyed by beacon fire, but it was rebuilt in 1722 to form its current form.
The shrine is dedicated to The ancient Japanese gods: Izanagi and Izanami, the mother goddesses of other gods.
▲ Izanagi and Izanami are the origins of Japanese mythology
In the manga Naruto, there are also ninjutsu named after them, which shows the deep influence on the entire culture.
However, because the location of the shrine is so remote, it is actually in a semi-abandoned state.
The buildings have been abandoned for years and left unmanaged, with only the occasional visit to the shrine by the inhabitants of nearby towns.
▲The shrine itself is very small and has to be reached through a long staircase
However, because of this, the shrine here has a unique sense of historical vicissitudes that have spanned thousands of years.
Coupled with the legend of the monsters of the mysterious mountain forest, it is even more mysterious here.
——Not exempt from vulgarity——
Some people describe the Kami-mi-Kumano Shrine as having a supernatural scenery that "leads people to another world."
▲ This is not an exaggeration
Looking around, it is always green, green grass, green moss, and even the stones are stained with greenery.
▲ The stone covered with moss, it is estimated that people will become "moss people" after standing here for a long time
It's especially rainy here. If you're lucky enough to be in the drizzle, you can experience a wonderland.
▲ The forest in the rain and fog, remembering a Song poem "Live and sleep to listen to the rain, and the moss in the dream"
But secretly tell you that you think it is a fairyland, but it is actually a demon realm, oh, the elves and monsters in the mountains may be secretly watching you.
The bluestone steps here are also necessary. Climbing the stairs, it was extremely quiet, holding the hand of his friend, walking the road that Silver and Firefly had walked together.
The stone lanterns lined up on both sides of the shrine are also worth seeing, and there are nearly 100 along the way, all the way to the shrine.
▲ There is also a restoration in the movie, and the details are perfect
——Private Customization——
As mentioned earlier, very few people actually come to the shrine to worship now. However, there are really many people who come to this holy place to visit.
Not only [The Forest of Fireworks], but also some scenes from Natsume's Friends' Account are also painted here.
▲ [Forest of Fireworks] and "Natsume Friends' Account" mix and match, fan picture
The friend of the "Natsume Friends' Account" tour, all the way to the shrine is not finished, and then walk, through the hillside, to the highest place -
"Tofumi Rock".
Director Omori seems to really like this place, so "Toshiki-iwa" also appears in "Natsume's Friend's Account".
▲ There is a very large ventilation outlet under the huge rock, and below it are cliffs and forests
According to legend, this mouth was kicked through by the Eight Masters of the Aso Daming God's followers, when he escaped, which was also very interesting.
Finally, I would like to remind everyone that the road to "Tofuto-iwa" is not friendly, especially when it rains, so be careful.
A girly heart-pounding AI
I also want to go to the shrine and meet Silver.