The shrine complex of Atomyo Shrine (a city-designated natural monument)

Ato is a quiet place with scattered houses among the rice paddies that spread across the flat mountain land, and is also known as a village where the heroic Kagura dance is performed. Yamagosho Atomyojin Shrine at the foot of the mountain retains its traditional atmosphere as the "village guardian deity," and many giant trees grow thickly in the shrine grove. It is said that this Atomyojin Shrine was formed in 1837 (Tenpo 8) when the ancient Atomyojin Shrine and Uzu Hachiman Shrine were merged. At that time, a new shrine building was built, and cedar, cypress, Japanese maple, and Chinese cedar were planted in the sacred grounds. After 150 years, the trees that are likely from that time have grown into large, magnificent trees that evoke the hearts of the people who cherished and protected the guardian deity. In addition to the planted trees, the shrine grove also contains many broadleaf trees that originally grew in this area, such as Machilus thunbergii, Quercus myrsinais, Geranium tsukubanegashi, Sakaki, Linbok, and Kakuremino. The Machilus thunbergii in the corner of the grove is particularly impressive, and is said to be one of the largest trees in the prefecture. It is dark beneath the densely packed trees, and the red fern, Nezasa nezasa, Winter strawberry, and Lilium longiflorum create an enclosed atmosphere that makes it difficult for people to venture in. Location: Yamagosho Atomeijinja Shrine Precincts, Ato, Numata-cho, Asaminami-ku, Hiroshima City Date of designation: February 18, 1974 Summary: Trunk circumference at breast height of main trees: Machilus thunbergii: 3.62m, Japanese cedar: 2.57m, 2.2m, Japanese cedar: 3.41m