Motonosumi-Inari shrine, Yamaguchi

“Motonosumi-Inari Shrine” is located in Nagato City, Yamaguchi Prefecture. The 123 Torii Gates lined by the sea have a great view and reputation. The Motonosumi-Inari Shrine is visited not only by Japanese people but also by many foreigners. The beautiful sea of cobalt blue and the amber torii create a great contrast and you can enjoy a spectacular view of losing words.
It has become a topic and has gradually become famous since it was published in the 2014 “Superb View of Japan”. In 2015, CNN, an American television station, has been selected as one of the “31 most beautiful places in Japan,” making it a hot topic overseas.
It takes about 30 to 40 minutes to watch the Motonosumi-Inari Shrine. It does not take so much time, so it is possible to stop in conjunction with some sightseeing spots.
After visiting Motonosumi-Inari Shrine, it takes about 30 minutes to 1 hour to look at “Ryugu of spouting water”.
There are 123 torii gates, with a total length of over 100 meters. There are many foreign tourists as they can see the amazing scenery that is unique to Japan.
The way to worship is from the cliff shrine to the sea and down the torii tunnel. The torii tunnel is a gentle downhill at first, but it will be stairs on the way, so be careful with your feet.
The highlight of the Motonosumi-Inari Shrine is not only Torii. The above-mentioned “Ryugu of spouting water” is also a wonderful review. There is a cliff at the end of the long torii tunnel, but you can see it when the waves are strong and you are lucky. White splashes can be as high as 30 meters and are worth a look. In this zone there is a cave where you can see the “Ryugu of spouting water” as the waves blew up in a burst of air. The spectacular sound of “Ryugu of spouting water” and the spectacular view of “Torii” are the highlight of the Motonosumi-Inari Shrine.
The evening scenery is also recommended, and the torii from the sunset is even more beautiful. If you want to enjoy the sunset and Tori collaboration, please visit there in the evening.

Most northwest of Japan

The mysterious landscape that the cobalt blue sea spreading in front of it and the vermillion torii lining rows together creates a secret topic. It is a hidden scenic spot of Japan, which many people do not know yet. Motonosumi-Inari shrine is a shrine that has received great attention from tourists outside Japan in recent years. In the survey of the American television station “CNN” it was chosen as one of “Japan ‘s 31 most beautiful places”, and gathered a hot gaze from all over the world. Among the 31 selections, world famous Japanese sights such as Itsukushima-jinja Shrine, Gassho-Zukuri of Shirakawa-Go, Kinkakuji Temple and Himeji-jo Castle, which are also World Heritage Site, are gaining names. In Japan, the Fushimi Inari shrine in Kyoto is famous, but the beauty of this Motonosumi-Inari shrine is also certainly worth seeing.
The Motonosumi-Inari shrine is located in Nagato-shi, Yamaguchi. It is the Inari-jinja shrine of the extreme northwest of Japan, and was derived from Taikoya-inari-jinja shrine in 1955.
A pure white fox appears by the pillow of local fisherman, Hitoshi Okamoto and is informed “Whose grace is it that you could good catch of fish so far? Enshrines me.”, then it was built in this place.

Offertory box overhead

123 red toriis(an archway to a Shinto shrine) are impressive. When look at the torii built at the mountain behind way exit, you notice offertory box overhead! It is said that a wish comes true if you culd insert a money to the offertory.

It does not have a particular meaning

It is installed in a high position of approximately 5 meters from the ground and is more small-sized than an offertory box to usually look at in a Shinto shrine. It is difficult to put Osaisen(*) in it because you must throw it.
The installed position does not have a particular meaning, it is said that the reason of it is “some interesting thing!” by the Shinto priest with his impish.

Accomplishment

More than 30,000 Inari shrines are in the whole country, but the shrine using a caracter “成” in its name is only Taikoya-inari shrine and this Motonosumi-Inari shrine. This character of “成” means “accomplishment”, and there is a meaning that various wishes come true.

This place was chosen as “Japan’s 31 most beautiful places” of CNN.

Information(Access, Price/Charge, Tel, Address, Official site, etc.)