About the National Treasure Memorial House｜Aoi no mori National Treasure Memorial House

About the National Treasure Memorial House

The Aoi no mori National Treasure Memorial House, designed by world-renowned architect Kengo Kuma, was completed in November 2023 as a symbol of recovery from the record-breaking rainfall disaster.
The wooden louvered roof reflects the thatched roof of the shrine. This authentic wooden building uses forest resources from the Hitoyoshi-Kuma area, including the Millennium Cedars on sacred Mt. Ichifusa and the sacred cedars of Sano Shrine in Miyazaki Prefecture. The permanent exhibition in the gallery introduces the attractions of the Hitoyoshi-Kuma area, the 1,200-year history of Aoi Aso Shrine, and its nationally treasured cultural properties.
Please take your time to enjoy the exhibition, accompanied by the rich scent of the wood.

Kengo Kuma & Associates HP

Message

Welcome, and thank you for visiting our shrine.

Aoi Aso Shrine, locally known as “Aoi-san,” has a history of over 1,200 years since its founding in the early Heian period.

The shrine buildings, constructed in the early Edo period, were designated as National Treasures in 2008. They were recognized for preserving the distinctive medieval style of the Kuma region, while incorporating the ornate decorative style of the Momoyama period, and for serving as models for shrine and temple architecture in the early modern Kuma region.

Hitoyoshi-Kuma is recognized as a Japan Heritage site, where the culture of tradition and innovation was cultivated over 700 years by the Sagara clan. In harmony with the National Treasure shrine buildings that must be preserved, the Aoi-no-Mori National Treasure Museum was established to convey the culture of tradition and innovation for generations to come.

Please take your time to enjoy the rich and hidden world of the village.

Chief Priest of Aoi Aso Shrine, Yoshifumi Fukukawa

Photo by Masatoshi Hoshino / HOSHINO DESIGN CONSCIOUSPublished in Kumamoto-no-ie, Vol.06

I feel like Hitoyoshi is a mystical village that connects us to the ancient layers of Japan. Standing in this basin, I felt as if I could fly through time and space, diving into other places and eras. Aoi Aso Shrine stands at the heart of Hitoyoshi’s culture and history. There are many National Treasures in Japan, but I believe the power of this building is truly special. I believe the entire spirit of Hitoyoshi has been condensed into this structure, creating extraordinary strength and beauty. It was a really proud and special moment in my life as an architect to be involved in designing the building next to this shrine.
I hope you enjoy this place and its magic.

Kengo Kuma, Architect.

Visitor Guide

Opening Hours: 09:00-17:00 (Last admission by 16:30)
Closed Days: Open year-round
Admission: Adults (high school and above): ￥500
Children (elementary & junior high school): ￥300
Group Visits: A 10% discount is applied per person for groups of 10 or more.

FAQ

Is the facility wheelchair accessible？: The facility is wheelchair accessible. Please use the elevator to access the second floor.
Wheelchairs are not available for rent.
Is photography allowed？: Photography and videography are allowed.
Is information available in languages other than English？: Multilingual audio guides are available. Please enjoy them by scanning the QR code on the leaflet at the shrine reception.

ACCESS

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Aoi no mori National Treasure Memorial House

118, Kamiaoi-cho, Hitoyoshi-shi, Kumamoto-ken

TEL 0966-22-2274

If you are coming by car: About a 5-minute drive from Hitoyoshi IC / Hitoyoshi Kuma SIC on Kyushu Expressway
If you are coming by JR train: About a 45-minute drive by rental car from Shin-Yatsushiro Station on Kyushu Shinkansen
From Shin-Yatsushiro Station on the Kyushu Shinkansen, take the B&S Miyazaki Express Bus. Get off at the Hitoyoshi IC bus stop, then take a taxi for about 5 minute.
If you are coming by plane: About a 2-hour 30-minute drive from Fukuoka Airport
About a 1-hour 30-minute drive from Aso Kumamoto Airport
About a 50-minute drive from Kagoshima Airport
Take the Kirishima Express Bus from Kagoshima Airport and get off at Hitoyoshi IC. Then take a taxi for about 5 minute.
Take the Tsubame Airport Liner from Kagoshima Airport to Aoi Jinja-mae bus stop.

PARKINGParking information: Opening hours: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Parking: Available (free of charge)

ABOUT About the National Treasure Memorial House