Motonosumi Shrine

Motonosumi Shrine is a popular place of worship located in Yuya-Tsuo, Nagato City, Yamaguchi Prefecture. It is known for its spectacular scenery, with 123 vermilion torii gates standing in a row along steep cliffs overlooking the Sea of Japan. The vivid contrast of red torii gates, blue ocean, and green land has earned high praise both in Japan and abroad, and the shrine attracts many visitors as one of Yamaguchi Prefecture’s leading tourist destinations and spiritual power spots. It was also selected by CNN, the American news network, as one of the “31 Most Beautiful Places in Japan,” bringing it worldwide attention.

Motonosumi Shrine was founded in 1955. Its origins are said to date back to an encounter in which a white fox appeared in a dream to Hitoshi Okamura, a local fishing leader. The white fox is said to have asked, “To whom do you owe the success of your fishing until now?” and left a divine message saying, “Enshrine me here.” Motonosumi Shrine was built in accordance with this revelation. It was originally called Motonosumi Inari Shrine, but its name was changed to the present Motonosumi Shrine in January 2019.

The shrine’s greatest attraction is its 123 torii gates, which were donated over a period of approximately ten years beginning in 1987. The gates stretch for about 100 meters toward the Sea of Japan. As visitors walk along the torii-lined approach, glimpses of the blue ocean and sky appear between the vermilion gates, creating a dreamlike atmosphere. The succession of torii gates is truly breathtaking and is also popular as a photogenic spot.

As you proceed along the approach, you will reach a spectacular viewpoint overlooking the Sea of Japan from atop the cliffs. The view of the rows of torii gates and the sea from the elevated ground is especially well known as one of Motonosumi Shrine’s signature landscapes. On clear days, the blue of the sea stands out even more vividly, while at sunset, a fantastical scene unfolds. From summer through autumn, the blue of the sky and sea is particularly beautiful, while in winter, rough waves and whitecaps create a powerful spectacle.

Motonosumi Shrine is also home to a votive offertory box said to be “the most difficult in Japan to put money into.” It is installed at a height of approximately five to six meters on the upper part of the large torii gate near the end of the approach. It is said that your wish will come true if you successfully toss an offering into the box. Many visitors take on the challenge, and cheers sometimes erupt when someone succeeds. In keeping with the shrine’s founding legend, the offertory box is decorated with a white fox.

Motonosumi Shrine is also known as a place offering many blessings. Although it was originally established for prayers for a good catch and safety at sea, it is now believed to bring blessings for prosperous business, good fortune and protection from misfortune, successful relationships, fertility, traffic safety, academic achievement, and the fulfillment of wishes, among other things. As a result, many people visit not only as tourists but also to offer sincere prayers.

Near the shrine is Ryugu no Shiofuki, a site designated as both a national natural monument and a place of scenic beauty. This is a natural phenomenon in which seawater is forced upward when waves crash into sea caves. It was given its name because the spray looks like a dragon ascending to heaven. The spray can rise especially high in winter or when the sea is rough, offering a spectacular view of the power of nature.

Motonosumi Shrine has several popular photography spots. Whether viewed down over the rows of torii gates from the cliff side, photographed with the Sea of Japan in the background, or captured together with Ryugu no Shiofuki, the scenery is beautiful from every angle. Compositions featuring the torii gates, sea, sky, and vegetation all in a single frame are particularly popular and have become a topic of discussion on social media.

Nearby are other popular tourist destinations representing Nagato City, including Senjōjiki and the Higashigotahata terraced rice fields, and many visitors tour these sites together. Depending on the car navigation system, Motonosumi Shrine may not appear in the search results, so searching for “Ryugu no Shiofuki” is said to make it easier to find the route.

In this way, Motonosumi Shrine is a popular destination combining beautiful scenery, a mysterious legend, and a wide range of blessings. The landscape created by the magnificent natural surroundings of the Sea of Japan and the 123 torii gates continues to captivate countless visitors as an unforgettable sight.