Kitaoka Shrine is located at the foot of Mount Hanaoka near JR Kumamoto Station. The shrine was originally built in 934 in Nihongi, Nishi Ward, Kumamoto City to worship the spirit of Yasaka Shrine in Yamashiro Province (present-day southern Kyoto Prefecture), but was later moved to the top of Mt Hanaoka, and relocated to its present site in 1647. During the Satsuma Rebellion in 1877, the Satsuma Army located its headquarters here, owing to its elevation overlooking Kumamoto Castle.
The current shrine pavilion was rebuilt in 1933, but a large 1,000-year-old camphor tree towers over the approach, testifying to its long history. It is called MEOTO-KUSU, meaning ""married couple camphor tree"". Legend has it that if you pass through this tree, you will receive blessings, especially to ward off evil and bring good luck, matchmaking and marital bliss.