Josh Ellis Photography

The bare interior of the Kamishikimi Kumanoimasu Shrine's Hall of Worship. Not a lot is happening inside, but who needs a bunch of decorations when you have the beauty of nature all around you? — view on Instagram https://ift.tt/Upl57Y1

The third set of the Kamishikimi Kumanoimasu Shrine's stone guardians. This one is the smallest set, but they interestingly predate the Main Hall that they're protecting. Not sure what happened there. — view on Instagram https://ift.tt/k80WO62

Nature having its way with one of the stone guardians at the Kamishikimi Kumanoimasu Shrine. — view on Instagram https://ift.tt/tTnOIZz

About two-hundred stone lanterns line the path to the Kamishikimi Kumanoimasu Shrine, and have become one of the most important aspects of the shrine in recent years. — view on Instagram https://ift.tt/8BueE6q

The shrine gate and famed stone lanterns that line the Visiting Path of the Kamishikimi Kumanoimasu Shrine in Kumamoto. — view on Instagram https://ift.tt/2BAUS0X

The Hall of Worship (拜殿) and Main Hall (本殿) of the Kamishikimi Kumanoimasu Shrine. The cedar forest that surrounds the shine was replanted in the 1970s and has grown quite tall around the shrine. — view on Instagram https://ift.tt/V9xF3nu

A side view of the Hall of Worship blending into nature at the Kamishikimi Kumanoimasu Shrine in on the slopes of Mount Aso in Kumamoto Prefecture. — view on Instagram https://ift.tt/NPWD2zi

Announcing their arrival after the long walk up to the shrine. — view on Instagram https://ift.tt/HKQmC7q

Blending into the natural environment. — view on Instagram https://ift.tt/klX1Nzp

Foreign tourists taking photos of the beautiful Kamishikimi Kumanoimasu Shrine in Japan's Kumamoto Prefecture. — view on Instagram https://ift.tt/IydjTOg

Walking up the Visiting Path of the Kamishikimi Kumanoimasu Shrine on the slopes of Mount Aso. — view on Instagram https://ift.tt/kFUVS3L

The inner most shrine gate at the Kamishikimi Kumanoimasu Shrine on the slopes of Mount Aso. Nature has had its way with much of the shrine, turning everything a pretty shade of green. — view on Instagram https://ift.tt/nUwIJGC

Located on the side of a mountain in a forest of reclaimed Japanese cypress, the Kamishikimi Kumanoimasu Shrine has become quite popular in recent years after its likeness was featured in a popular anime film. — view on Instagram https://ift.tt/ebGa24Q

My visit to the Kamishikimi Kumanoimasu Shrine near Mount Aso wasn't a stop that was planned prior to our trip to Japan, but it ended up being the highlight of the trip. I'll be sharing photos from this beautiful shrine over the next week or two. — view on Instagram https://ift.tt/7liFohs

Walking down the cherry-blossom covered Visiting Path of the Aso Shrine, which is lined with cute little shops and tourist stops. — view on Instagram https://ift.tt/JrFEV4U

Although it's obscured by the Hall of Worship, and a high fence, the Main Hall of the Aso Shine can be seen from a few vantage points around the shrine, and from what little you can see of the building, it's absolutely beautiful. — view on Instagram https://ift.tt/419s0OJ

Enjoying the fresh smell of Japanese cedar on the newly reconstructed Main Hall of the Aso Shrine, one of Kumamoto's most important shrines. — view on Instagram https://ift.tt/ML2z3hO