The Kurokami Buried Torii stands as a silent testament to the cataclysmic 1914 Taisho eruption of Sakurajima. Once a towering three-meter gate of the Hara Gosa Shrine, it was swallowed whole by a sea of volcanic ash and pumice, leaving only its lintel exposed. Though villagers initially attempted to unearth it, the then mayor of Higashi Sakurajima made the poignant decision to preserve it as it was, a haunting reminder of nature's raw power. Today, the torii stands dwarfed, a poignant relic of that fateful day. Cycling through such landscapes, where history can be seen, touched, and understood, adds another dimension to the journey. CIK tours offer 15-minute stops at this site, providing insights into its history and surroundings, enhancing your understanding.