Where Waves and Wealth Converge: Hatoba Shrine

#springitinerary #visitkyushu #shrinevisit Some shrines calm the soul—Hatoba Shrine in Beppu quiets the very sea itself. Built to safeguard the port during construction, this sacred spot carries a legend as powerful as the ocean it once tamed. Locals whisper that the handwritten plaque by Matsukata Masayoshi—Japan’s former Prime Minister and Finance Minister—holds the secret to prosperity. "Touch it, and wealth will follow," an elderly woman told me with a knowing smile. Standing before the torii gate, I felt the weight of its dual blessings: protection from life’s storms and a promise of abundance. The crashing waves beyond seemed to hush, as if respecting the shrine’s quiet authority. *Travel Tip:* Visit at low tide to see the seawall’s ancient stones. Drop a coin near Matsukata’s plaque—tradition says it doubles your luck!