Motonosumi Shrine
A stunning cliffside path of 123 torii gates leading down to the brilliant blue sea.
A relatively new shrine in Yamaguchi, Motonosumi has become world-famous for its incredibly scenic location, where a tunnel of red gates snakes down a green cliff face to the Sea of Japan.
History of the Shrine
Compared to the ancient history of many shrines, Motonosumi is very young, founded in 1955. Its creation story is rooted in a personal divine revelation. A local fisherman, Hitoshi Okamura, had a dream in which a white fox appeared to him. The fox identified itself as an emissary of the Inari kami from Taikodani Inari Shrine in neighboring Shimane Prefecture. The fox declared that its spirit had been abandoned for many years and requested that it be enshrined in this specific location overlooking the sea, promising blessings of good fishing catches and maritime safety.
Respecting the divine message, Mr. Okamura established the shrine. Starting in 1987 and continuing for ten years, worshippers donated the 123 torii gates that create the shrine's iconic path. Its incredible beauty, the stark contrast of the red gates, green cliffs, and blue sea, went largely unknown until it was featured by CNN Travel as one of the '31 Most Beautiful Places in Japan', catapulting it to international fame.
The Enshrined Kami
The enshrined kami is the same Inari Okami worshipped at Fushimi Inari, the deity of prosperity and agriculture. However, the founding story of Motonosumi places a special emphasis on the kami's manifestation as a white fox ('byakko'), a sacred and benevolent messenger. This direct, personal revelation to a local fisherman ties the shrine's power specifically to the local community and their livelihoods.
Given its seaside location, the blessings of the Inari kami here are strongly associated with maritime concerns: safety at sea, bountiful fishing catches, and success for those whose business is connected to the ocean. The challenge of the offering box also links the shrine to the fulfillment of difficult wishes.
What to See
The main attraction is the stunning visual of the 123 torii gates winding their way down the seaside cliff. The view from the top, looking down the tunnel of gates towards the sea, is the most famous shot. As you walk through the gates, the brilliant blue of the Sea of Japan is framed, creating a unique and beautiful experience.
One of the shrine's most unique and challenging features is its offering box ('saisen-bako'). Instead of being placed in an easily accessible location, it is perched atop a 6-meter-tall torii gate at the entrance to the path. It is said that if you can successfully toss a coin into this high-up box, your wish will come true. This playful challenge adds a memorable element to any visit. Near the cliff edge, you can also see the 'Ryugu no Shiofuki' (Dragon Palace Geyser), where waves crashing into a hole in the cliff can send a plume of water up to 30 meters into the air.
Major Festivals
As a newer shrine, Motonosumi doesn't have the large-scale ancient festivals of other shrines. However, small local festivals are held to pray for good catches for the local fishing community and for the safety of all who travel on the sea. The shrine is a popular spot for New Year's prayers, with many coming to see the first sunrise of the year over the Sea of Japan.