Bright vermilion, Akama-jinjū is a shrine dedicated to the seven-year-old emperor Antoku, who died in 1185 in the battle of Dan-no-ura. On the left is a statue of Mimi-nashi Hōichi (Earless Hōichi), the blind bard whose musical talents get him into trouble with ghosts in a story made famous by Lafcadio Hearn.
The shrine is between Karato and Hino-yama, about a five-minute walk from the Karato market area. From the station, get off the bus at the Akama-jingū-mae bus stop (¥260, 10 minutes).
