Motonosumi Shrine

Overview

Motonosumi Shrine, located in Yatsuka Tsuki, Nagato City, Yamaguchi Prefecture, is a shrine renowned for its stunning spectacle of 123 vermillion torii gates stretching along a dramatic cliffside coastline towards the sea. The beautiful contrast of the gates against the blue sea and sky creates a breathtaking vista that captivates visitors from Japan and abroad. The shrine's founding is rooted in a legend. In 1955, a local fisherman named Okamura Hitoshi received a divine message in a dream from a white fox, instructing him to establish a shrine at this location. Initially established as Motonosumi Inari Shrine, it became a place of worship for the local community, with prayers offered for various aspects of life, including business prosperity, bountiful catches, maritime safety, good fortune, fertility, and safe travels. It's important to note that, despite the "Inari" in its original name, it's unrelated to Taikodani Inari Shrine (in Tsuwano Town, Shimane Prefecture). Overlooking the Sea of Japan from the shrine, one can witness the "Ryugu no Shiofuki" (Dragon Palace's Sea Spray), a natural phenomenon where waves crashing against sea caves create a dramatic spray. The 123 vermillion torii gates, donated over a ten-year period starting in 1987, line the path from the shrine towards the "Ryugu no Shiofuki" for over 100 meters. Furthermore, an offertory box located at the top of a large torii gate near the rear shrine exit (approximately 5m high) is said to be "the hardest offertory box to throw money into in Japan." Successfully tossing a coin into it is believed to grant wishes. In March 2015, CNN selected Motonosumi Shrine as one of "Japan's 31 most beautiful places." This led to a surge in visitors, both domestic and international. However, the lengthy original shrine name proved difficult for foreigners to pronounce. Therefore, the shrine's name was changed to Motonosumi Shrine in January 2019. While the Jinja Honcho (Association of Shinto Shrines) generally discourages name changes, Motonosumi Shrine never held official religious corporation status. Therefore, as an independent entity, they had the freedom to change the name, with the torii gates considered "personal property of the Okamura family." The name change had been under consideration for approximately two years, with the final name, "Motonosumi Shrine," chosen after consulting an omikuji (fortune slip) in January 2018, considered a divine message. Today, Motonosumi Shrine remains a beloved power spot where nature and faith harmonize. We invite you to experience its charm firsthand.