Motonosumi Shrine

Overview

Motonosumi Shrine stands on a cliff overlooking the Sea of Japan in Nagato, Yamaguchi Prefecture. More than 123 vermilion torii gates run for over 100 meters down the slope toward the water, and the interplay of blue sea and red gates has made this one of Yamaguchi's signature scenic sights. Below the shrine, when waves rush into a sea cave, air and seawater burst upward in a natural spectacle known as the Ryugu no Shiofuki, or Dragon Palace blowhole.

Highlights

• ●The 123 vermilion torii gates running down to the sea
• ●The Ryugu no Shiofuki, where waves blast air and seawater upward
• ●The famously hard-to-hit offering box about six meters up
• ●A grand panorama of Sea of Japan cliffs and blue water

History

Motonosumi Shrine is said to have been founded in 1955. Formerly called Motonosumi Inari Shrine, it saw a surge of foreign visitors from the 2010s onward, and in response to feedback that its long old name was hard to read, the two characters for Inari were dropped in January 2019 to give the present name. Notably, the shrine is privately owned rather than held by a religious corporation, and it does not belong to the Association of Shinto Shrines or the Yamaguchi prefectural shrine agency.

Map

34.4199, 131.0628 · Wikidata

Suggested itinerary

1. 1Take in the sweeping view from the cliff over the Sea of Japan
2. 2Walk down toward the water through the 123 torii gates
3. 3Watch the waves erupt at the Ryugu no Shiofuki blowhole
4. 4Try tossing a coin into the high offering box as you pray

Did you know?

💡 An offering box is mounted atop one of the torii gates, about six meters above the ground, and it is famous as the hardest offering box in Japan to hit. Legend holds that if you can successfully toss your coin into this lofty box, your wish will come true, and many worshippers give it a try.

Nearby spots