Ukishima Shrine is located in Kashima Town, Kamimashiki District, Kumamoto Prefecture. Its formal name is Ukishima Kumanoimasu Shrine, and local residents affectionately call it “Ukishima-san.” The shrine enshrines Izanagi-no-Mikoto and Izanami-no-Mikoto, the divine couple who, according to Japanese mythology, gave birth to many of the gods of Japan.
The shrine stands on a peninsula-like piece of land extending into a spring-fed pond. Viewed from the opposite shore, the wooded grounds appear to float on the water, giving the shrine its name, which means “Floating Island Shrine.” The beautiful waterside setting evokes the scenery of Itsukushima Shrine, famous for its torii gate standing in the sea. Today, the area around the shrine has been developed as Ukishima Waterside Park, where visitors can enjoy a peaceful landscape of clear water, greenery, and wildlife.
The shrine’s origins date back to 1001, during the Heian period. At that time, the area was governed by the Iō family. Iō Saburō Naohisa, the third-generation head of the family, struggled to grow crops because the surrounding land was waterlogged. He prayed day and night to Kumanoimasu Shrine, which served as the family’s guardian shrine.
According to tradition, the deity of Kumano appeared to Naohisa in a dream and instructed him to dig on the north side of his residence. When he followed the divine message, water gathered in the surrounding area to form a large pond. The excess moisture drained from the fields, allowing crops to grow more successfully and improving the harvest.
After the pond formed, a golden-colored stone known as the Kabuto Stone appeared in the water. Its discovery astonished local residents. The stone was enshrined as a sacred object, and the family’s household shrine was established as a formal shrine. Iō Saburō himself became its first priest.
According to the shrine’s tradition, the Iō family has continued to serve as its priests for approximately a thousand years. The chief priest at the time described in the source was the 41st generation of the family. This long succession is an important part of the shrine’s identity and connects its present-day worship with its founding legend.
Because the shrine enshrines Izanagi-no-Mikoto and Izanami-no-Mikoto, the divine couple associated with the creation of the Japanese islands and the birth of many deities, it is visited by people praying for romantic relationships, harmony between married couples, fertility, safe childbirth, and the healthy growth of children. Other prayers include those for family safety and the blessing of buildings and construction projects.
Izanagi-no-Mikoto is also associated with purification rituals described in the Kojiki, one of Japan’s oldest chronicles. For this reason, the shrine is also a place where people pray for protection from misfortune and spiritual purification.
The shrine is known for the belief that its grounds do not become submerged even during heavy rain and typhoons. Because of this association with remaining afloat, people working in industries where fortunes fluctuate often visit to pray for good luck and stability.
The shrine also offers a well-known charm called the Uki-mamori, or “Floating Charm.” Inspired by the word “float,” it is associated with wishes for improved business performance, recovery of health, and success in school or examinations. The charm reflects the shrine’s distinctive relationship with water and the symbolic idea of rising above difficulties.
The shrine’s annual festival is held on September 15. It is one of the traditional observances through which worshippers express their gratitude and pray for the continued well-being of the community.
On January 7, the shrine distributes seven-herb rice porridge to visitors. The porridge is prepared using red rice and black rice grown in the shrine’s sacred rice field, and it is offered free of charge. The event attracts many people who gather to pray for good health and an abundant harvest in the coming year.
The use of rice cultivated in the shrine’s own field gives the ritual a close connection with agriculture and the local landscape. It is also an opportunity for visitors to experience a Japanese seasonal custom associated with health and the beginning of the year.
The Ukibitama Festival is held on December 31 and creates a particularly atmospheric scene on the pond. Candle-shaped LED lights that illuminate when placed in water are floated across the surface. The lights symbolize prayers for happiness in the coming year, good relationships, and safety for families.
Following the Great East Japan Earthquake of March 11, 2011, the festival was also used as an opportunity to collect donations for disaster relief. A related observance was held on March 11, 2012. The ritual therefore combines the shrine’s traditional prayers with a spirit of compassion and support for people affected by disasters.
The pond surrounding the shrine is known as Kami-no-Ike, or the “Pond of the Gods.” It covers an area of approximately 6,000 tsubo, equivalent to about 19,800 square meters, and is sustained by abundant groundwater. The daily volume of water emerging from the spring is reported to be approximately 150,000 tons.
The pond’s clear water and plentiful flow have earned it recognition in several national selections related to water resources and the natural environment. It has been included among Japan’s 100 Remarkable Waters of the Heisei Era, the 100 Water Villages, and the 100 Remarkable Reservoirs. These recognitions reflect the importance of the pond not only as a scenic feature but also as part of the region’s valuable water environment.
The area around Ukishima Shrine has been developed as Ukishima Waterside Park, providing visitors with a place to relax and experience nature. Plants such as cogon grass, reeds, and Japanese sweet flag grow along the water, creating habitats for birds and other wildlife.
Little grebes and kingfishers can be seen around the pond, while ducks arrive during winter and use the area as a seasonal resting and wintering ground. The changing birdlife and waterside vegetation make the park appealing to nature lovers and photographers as well as local residents seeking a quiet place to walk.
The Rokuka Spring Group lies near Ukishima Shrine in the Rokuka district. The area’s geology includes Togawa lava, deposits from Aso’s pyroclastic flows, and layers of Ariake clay. These underground formations help retain and channel groundwater, so water can emerge after digging only about 1.5 meters into the ground in some places.
The springs are recognized together with the Ukishima area as the “Ukishima and Rokuka Spring Group,” one of Japan’s 100 Remarkable Waters of the Heisei Era. The groundwater is a valuable resource for the community. Washing areas have been established near some springs, and these spaces have traditionally served as places where residents meet and interact while using the water.
The Kashima Natural Spring-Water Pool is an unusual swimming pool that uses naturally emerging spring water. During the summer, it attracts many visitors from Kashima Town and surrounding areas who come to enjoy the cool water.
The pool is a distinctive local attraction that reflects the area’s close relationship with its groundwater resources. It is particularly popular with families and provides a refreshing way to spend a summer day while experiencing the natural features of the region.
On October 27, 2013, the event known as Ukishima Miyashie: Omusubi Market was held in the shrine area. Local specialties and handmade foods were offered for sale, attracting visitors and creating a lively atmosphere.
The event provided a venue for introducing regional products and local traditions, while encouraging interaction between residents and visitors. It also contributed to community revitalization by bringing people together around the shrine and its surrounding waterside landscape.
On November 24, 2013, the event known as the Bicycle Market was held for what was described as its “1.5th edition.” Local residents and tourists took part in bicycle-related activities and enjoyed cycling through the surrounding countryside.
The event encouraged participants to explore the area’s natural scenery by bicycle and experience the landscape at a relaxed pace. Such activities illustrate how the shrine and its surrounding environment have become a focal point for community events as well as religious observances.
There is no current railway station directly serving Ukishima Shrine. The nearest station in the past was Rokuka Station on the former Kumamoto En Railway. The line was discontinued, and Rokuka Station closed on March 31, 1964.
From Kumamoto, board a Kumamoto Bus at platform 24 of Sakuramachi Bus Terminal. Take route East 11 toward Kosa, Tomochi, Tamamushi, or Jonan via Aeon Mall Kumamoto, and get off at Shimo-Rokuka bus stop. The shrine is approximately a 10-minute walk from the stop.
Visitors starting from Aeon Mall Kumamoto can also board a bus at the mall’s bus stop on the same route and get off at Shimo-Rokuka. From there, walk for about 10 minutes to reach the shrine.
Ukishima Shrine can be reached via Kumamoto Prefectural Route 226, the Rokuka–Akitsu-Shinmachi Route. It is approximately 10 minutes by car from Kengunmachi tram stop in Kumamoto City, or about 10 minutes from Mifune Interchange on the Kyushu Expressway.
Parking is available at the shrine, and the parking facilities can accommodate large buses, making the site accessible to both individual travelers and tour groups.
Ukishima Shrine is a distinctive destination where Japanese mythology, a thousand-year-old religious tradition, and an abundant spring-water environment come together. Its unusual setting, with wooded grounds appearing to float on a clear pond, gives the shrine a memorable atmosphere. The story of its founding, the succession of priests from the Iō family, and the sacred Kabuto Stone add depth to the visit.
Visitors can pray for good relationships, family safety, safe childbirth, and success in their endeavors, while also enjoying the natural surroundings of Ukishima Waterside Park. Nearby springs, seasonal birdlife, community events, and the natural spring-water pool make the area an appealing place to experience the relationship between faith, water, and everyday life in Kumamoto.