Kurokami Buried Torii Gate

Overview

The Kurokami Buried Torii Gate is a historical relic born from the Great Taisho Eruption of Sakurajima on January 12, 1914. This eruption, the largest in terms of ejecta volume in 20th-century Japan, caused immense damage across Sakurajima. In the Kurokami settlement, 197 out of 246 houses were lost, buried under pumice and volcanic ash. Haraigosha Shrine also suffered significant damage, with the torii gate buried up to its top by accumulated pyroclastic flow and ash. The 3-meter-tall gate is now buried about 2 meters deep. After World War II, residents attempted to excavate the buried torii gate, but Yaokura Nozoe, the then-village head of Higashi Sakurajima Village, stopped the excavation, stating that it should be preserved for future generations as a reminder of the disaster. Thus, the Kurokami Buried Torii Gate was preserved in its original state. Today, the Kurokami Buried Torii Gate is designated as a Kagoshima Prefecture Natural Monument. It serves as a testament to the immense power of the eruption, attracting many tourists. Born from volcanic eruption, the Kurokami Buried Torii Gate is a precious historical relic resulting from the forces of nature and human decision-making.