Was Aso Once a Lake? Tracing the Myths of the Caldera
Kokuzo Jinja and the Heritage of Ancient Aso
Kumamoto’s Aso region is home to one of the largest calderas in the world.
Its vast grasslands and the powerful form of the volcano have long captivated travelers.
Yet behind this landscape lies a grand story of earth’s creation that has been passed down for about two thousand years.
According to the myths of Aso, the present Aso Valley was once a vast lake, formed when water filled the enormous basin created by volcanic activity.
It is said that the land was harsh and unsuitable for people to live or cultivate rice.
It was the ancient pioneers, now revered as the deities of Aso, who transformed this barren land into fertile agricultural fields.
They are remembered not simply as deified beings but as heroes who possessed practical knowledge, opening water channels, teaching agricultural techniques, and supporting daily life.
The Kokuzo Jinja, the shrine visited in this article, is a sacred place that preserves the story of Hayamikatama no Mikoto (速瓶玉命), one of these pioneers who played a central role in shaping Aso’s agriculture and culture.
Standing at this site, known as the Kitamiya of Aso Shrine, allows one to grasp how Aso transformed into a rich and abundant land.
We also created a short video of this beautiful shrine.
You can find it at the end of the article, and I hope you enjoy it.
