 It serves today as one of the "Ichinomiya" of Kumamoto Prefecture.From 1871 through 1946, the Aso Shrine was officially designated one of the "Kanpei-taisha" (官幣大社), meaning that it stood in the first rank of government supported shrines.Aso-no-Ōkami, the "kami" or spirit who is believed to dwell at Aso Shrine has been worshipped from early times as the guardian deity of safety in navigation, and today, Aso-no-Ōkami is seen as protecting worshippers from traffic accidents and other untoward events.