Motonosumi Jinja Shrine
Motonosumi Jinja Shrine, or Motonosumi Shrine, was ranked the third among Japan’s 31 Most Beautiful Places by CNN in 2015. Before 2019 it was called “Motonosumi Inari Shrine”. This shrine lies in Yamaguchi - the westernmost prefecture of Honshu, facing the Sea of Japan. The most representative landmarks here are the 123 red torii gates stretching for over 100 meters (110 yards) from the shore to the shrine. The main part of the shrine is small and it won’t take you long to see around - about an hour is enough.
Built under the Instruction of a White Fox
The shrine was constructed in 1955 because of a local fisherman’s dream, in which a white fox told the man to build a shrine and worship the god. White foxes are considered to be divine beings in Japanese myths and the messenger of god. It has become a mascot and now you can see many white fox patterns and statues in the shrine.
What to Do in Motonosumi Shrine
1. Walk through Long Stretching Torii Gates by the Sea
Torii gates of a shrine are usually donated by people. It took about 10 years to build all the 123 torii gates of Motonosumi Shrine starting from 1987. These gates together form a tunnel, leading the way uphill and extending from the cliff by the sea shore to the main shrine. These gates are painted bright red, perfectly matching with the clear blue sea and the green hills. While walking through the torii gates, do not look back in order to have good luck.
2. Admire Ryugunoshiofuki - Dragon Palace Geyser
Motonosumi Shrine is on a cliff by the Sea of Japan, under which there is a hole breaking the waves from the sea. When the tides are huge and powerful, the water will be spurted into the air through the hole, like a dragon flying towards the heaven – which is called the Ryugunoshiofuki. Sometimes the seawater can shoot up to about 30 meters (98 ft.) high. Luckily enough, you may even see a rainbow after this phenomenon.
3. Throw a Coin into the 5-Meter-High Offering Box
People worship in Motonosumi Shrine to pray for business success, safety at sea, fishing success, etc. There is a unique way to help make your wish come true – to throw a coin into the small offering box which is at the top of the biggest torii gate here. It is said to be the highest offering box in all shrines of Japan, attracting many visitors to try their best to successfully throw a coin.
4. Buy a Cute Gift at Souvenir Shop
There are various kinds of gifts sold at the souvenir shop in Motonosumi Shrine, such as stickers, local ceramics and products. The torii gate stickers and Hagi ware little fox are lovely with reasonable prices. Note that the shop opens from 10:00 to 17:00.
Opening Hours
The shrine is open all year round, but no entry is allowed at night.
Ticket Fare
Free.
How to Get to Motonosumi Shrine
There are no direct buses to Motonosumi Shrine. You may get to the shrine:
1. By train and taxi
You may take a train on JR Sanin Line to Nagato-Furuichi Station and then take a taxi to Motonosumi Shrine. The cost of the taxi ride is about 3,000 JPY (21 dollars) and the travel time is about 15 minutes.
2. By rental car
Renting a car is more convenient if you want to visit Motonosumi Shrine as well as the nearby attractions. The nearest car rental location is at Senzaki Station of JR Sanin Line; it takes about 30 minutes to reach the shrine. Also you can rent a car at Shin-Yamaguchi Station; it takes about 80 minutes to reach the shrine.
Nearby Attraction
Tsunoshima Bridge: A bridge extending from the mainland to the island of Tsunoshima, with stunning view of the Sea of Japan. Visitors usually visit it together with the Motonosumi Shrine. You may take a taxi for about 30 minutes to get there from the shrine.
