Meoto Iwa

Overview

Meoto Iwa, or the Married Couple Rocks, are a rock formation named for the way two rocks appear to lean together like a married couple. The most famous pair stands at Futami Okitama Shrine in Ise, Mie Prefecture. The two rocks are joined by a shimenawa, a heavy rope of rice straw, and a small torii sits atop the larger rock.

Highlights

• ●Two rocks that appear to lean together like a married couple
• ●The shimenawa rope joining the two rocks
• ●The small torii set atop the larger rock
• ●Its standing as a scenic site tied to Futami Okitama Shrine

History

Meoto Iwa are rock formations found in various parts of Japan, named for the way two rocks appear to lean together like a married couple. They can be broadly divided into rocks rising from the sea and rocks in the mountains, and where there are three or more rocks, sometimes only two are called Meoto Iwa. The pair at Futami Okitama Shrine in Ise, Mie, is the most famous, with the two rocks joined by a shimenawa.

Map

34.5094, 136.7883 · Wikidata

Suggested itinerary

1. 1Pay a visit to Futami Okitama Shrine
2. 2View the Meoto Iwa joined by the shimenawa rope
3. 3Note the small torii set atop the larger rock
4. 4Stop by tourist facilities around the nearby town

Did you know?

💡 Even where there are three or more rocks, only two of them may be called Meoto Iwa.

Nearby spots