Aoshima Shrine isn’t just a spiritual site, it’s a full-senses adventure of seashells, spirit stories, and winding forest paths. Located on Aoshima Island in Miyazaki, this hidden gem blends beach fun with forest mystery. From chasing waves along the famous Devil’s Washboard to wandering shrine trails that feel like a jungle, it’s one of the most unique family-friendly shrines in Japan. With its quiet back paths and breezy loop trail, it even feels like a secret Miyazaki coastal walk made just for kids.
This post is part of our ongoing Luca & Nico’s Travel Journal series, inspired by our actual adventures, interactions, and discoveries in Japan with kids.
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To give you a real sense of what it’s like to experience Aoshima Shrine through young eyes, here’s what Luca and Nico had to say about our visit.
Luca’s Journal Entry
The Spirit Fox and the Whispering Path
Dear Journal,
As soon as we crossed the bridge to Aoshima Island, Nico bolted down to the beach yelling something about dragon ribs. I just rolled my eyes, he meant the Devil’s Washboard, those weird rows of rock that stretch out like stripes in the ocean. But I followed him anyway. We poked around the cracks for fish and shells. Nico said he found a dragon scale. I found something shiny and smooth that I swore looked like a pearl (Papa said it was probably a snail shell). After a while, we left the beach and walked into the shrine grounds. I slowed down on the path, something about it felt… quiet. Magical. Like maybe a spirit fox lived there and was watching us from the trees. The path took us through a tunnel of wooden ema (those wish boards), and suddenly, it was like the whole place turned into a forest. The trees hung low, and the light looked different. It felt like we were walking through the jungle. We reached a smaller shrine called Aoshima Shrine Motomiya. You’re supposed to offer shells here, which I think is kind of cool, but Nico refused to give up any of his, and I didn’t really want to either. We worked hard for those! On the way back, Papa said we could take the other trail back. No one else was on it. It felt like we had the whole island to ourselves. We picked up more shells, just in case.
~ Luca
Nico’s Journal Entry
I Found a Dragon and It Had Ribs
Dear Journal,
The second we crossed the bridge, I saw them, the dragon ribs! They were sticking out of the water like huge stripes. I ran straight down to the beach yelling, “LUCA, THE DRAGON SKELETON IS HERE!” (He said it was called the Devil’s Washboard. But I think Dragon Ribs sounds cooler.) I looked for treasure between the cracks. I didn’t find a fish, but I found a claw-looking shell that might’ve belonged to the dragon. Also a super swirly one. Then we went into the shrine part. Luca got all serious and slow like he was in a ninja movie. He said something about spirit foxes. I saw a lizard. We walked through this tunnel of wood boards with people’s wishes on them. After that, the path turned into a jungle! For real. Giant leaves. Wet smells. Trees doing twisty things. At the tiny shrine, Mama said we could offer some of our shells. I said no way. Not my shells. We went back a different way and it felt like we were in a secret level of the island. No people. Just us. And the dragon.
~ Nico
Luca & Nico’s Challenge:
Find the biggest, weirdest shell you can, but here’s the twist: can you bring one just to offer at the shell shrine, even if it’s your favorite?
Parent Insight:
Kids don’t need big theme parks to feel magic, give them space, quiet, and the freedom to lead. The chance to wander a forest trail, find a shell, or imagine a dragon beneath the waves often becomes the part of the trip they remember most.
Did You Know? Fun Facts About Aoshima Shrine
- Aoshima Island is famous for the “Devil’s Washboard,” a unique natural rock formation created by erosion, stretching along the coastline.
- The shrine’s sacred forest is one of Japan’s few subtropical jungle environments, home to banyan trees and rare plant life.
- At Aoshima Shrine Motomiya, visitors are encouraged to make an offering using shells collected from the nearby beach, a symbol of purification.
- The ema tunnel near the shrine is filled with handwritten wishes from travelers all over Japan, creating a peaceful, echoing passageway of hope.
Want to see what else Miyazaki has to offer for families? Aoshima Shrine was just one part of our adventure! Head over to our Miyazaki with Kids guide to discover more family-friendly attractions, hidden gems, and unforgettable things to do across this sunny southern region of Japan.
Until Next Time…
Whether it was walking through dragon ribs or jungle paths, Aoshima Shrine turned out to be one of the most magical places we didn’t expect. Next time, maybe we will be ready for an offering.
Stay curious, stay adventurous, and keep dreaming!
~ The LuNi Travels Family ~
