Mizuki Spring Tour and Strolling the Shrine Town

Aso Shrine has a history of about 2,300 years and is known for Aso’s agricultural rituals, designated as an Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property of Japan. In the shrine town, the Aso Ichinomiya Monzenmachi Shopping Street offers excellent food, including takeout items, sweets, and lunches featuring Akaushi beef, a local Aso specialty, and is bustling every day with worshippers and visitors.

As you stroll through the shrine town, you will come across spring water spots called mizuki. Said to be “water of the gods” with the power to promote longevity, the water has long been used by local residents for drinking and daily life. The mizuki come in various forms, including wooden and stone structures, and there are 36 in total, such as the “Spring of Learning” near an elementary school and the “Spring of Good Fortune” beside a bank. They are also open to the public, and many people are so drawn to the delicious water that they visit regularly to draw it.

The shrine town also has cafés where you can try coffee brewed with mizuki spring water, as well as restaurants that serve the spring water as drinking water. It is pleasant to take your time visiting the mizuki while strolling through the town’s retro atmosphere.