Kuwashi hoko-jinja, Shinto shrine in Japan

Kuwashi hoko-jinja is a Shinto shrine in Hikiyama, Kajiki-chō, Aira, Kagoshima Prefecture, dedicated to Shimazu Yoshihiro under the name Kuwashi-hoko-izutake-no-mikoto. It was first built in 1869 on the site of the Kajiki residence where Yoshihiro spent his final years, and was moved to its present location in 1918, the 300th anniversary of his death. The shrine is served by a chief priest who is also the 13th head of the Kajiki-Shimazu family.

The shrine was founded in 1869 on the site of the Kajiki residence where Shimazu Yoshihiro spent his final years, and was named Kuwashi Hoko Shrine after his deified name, Kuwashi Hoko Izutakewo no Mikoto. In 1918, on the 300th anniversary of his death, it was relocated and rebuilt at its present site in Hikiyama, Kajiki. Its chief priest is Shimazu Yoshihide, 13th head of the Kajiki-Shimazu family.

The shrine honors a local hero and serves as a spiritual center for the community where people come to pray and mark important moments. Festivals held here throughout the year, especially the July celebration, bring residents together in traditional dress and customs that reflect the area's heritage.

The shrine is open year-round and easily accessible by car with parking available nearby. Visitors should plan a visit during dry weather since pathways are made of natural materials, and note that festivals in July draw larger crowds if you prefer a quieter experience.

The shrine's chief priest is Shimazu Yoshihisa, 13th head of the Kajiki-Shimazu family, a branch descended from the enshrined Yoshihiro. The grounds stand on the site of Kajiki Hall, where Yoshihiro spent his final years before his death in 1619.