Ancient Chinese chronicles from the 7th century record that locals held festivals at Aso Shrine every time Mount Aso erupted to calm the volcano's wrath.

The Aso family, who have managed this shrine for over 2,000 years, hold the second-oldest recorded lineage in Japan after the Imperial family itself.

The torii gates stand on either side of the tower gate rather than in front, with one facing Mount Aso to mark the direction from which the volcano god arrives.

During the 2023 restoration of the collapsed tower gate, workers discovered the original builder's signature showing he was only 22 years old when he constructed it in the 1700s.