About Motonosumi Inari Shrine (元 乃 隅)
Motonosumi Shrine is a picturesque Shinto Shrine located on the coast of Yamaguchi Prefecture. The shrine is most famous for its 123 red torii gates that lead directly to the Sea of Japan. The large number of torii gates at Motonosumi Shrine resembles Fushimi Inari Shrine in Kyoto. On a sunny day the striking contrast between the cobalt blue waters and deep red torii gates is breathtaking.
By most accounts Motonosumi Shrine is a comparatively new shrine. Locals say it was built in 1955, after a fisherman received a divine message from a white fox spirit. When the white fox appeared, it told the local fisherman to build a shrine on the cliffs overlooking the sea.
The Nagato Area of Yamaguchi Prefecture is rural and quite far from major towns and cities. We recommend exploring the northern coast of Yamaguchi Prefecture by car. Many of the sites are remote and not easily accessed by public transportation.
Key Features of Motonosumi Inari Shrine
Torii Gate Offering Box
At many shrines an offertory box is placed in front of the main shrine. At Motonosumi Shrine, their offering box is attached to the first large torii gate. Visitors are encouraged to try their luck and throw money (¥5 coin) into the offering box attached to the torii gate. It is said that if you are able to get your offering into the box, you will receive good fortune.
Pro Tip: We recommend an underhand toss to get your offering in the offering box. After each try, make appropriate adjustments to the height and direction of our toss. After a couple of tries we were able to get our offering into the box.
Torii Gate Tunnel
Construction of the torii gate tunnel began in 1987 and took over ten years to complete. Many of the torii gates at Motonosumi Shrine came from its sister shrine Daikondani Inari Shrine in Shimane Prefecture. The gates start near the top of the hill and snake their way down to the base.
Ryugu no Shiofuki (Dragon Palace Geyser)
Ryugu no Shiofuki also known as the Dragon Palace Geyser is a set of natural rock formations located directly in front of Motonosumi Shrine. When waves crash against it, a thick mist is sprays the area around it. The water resembles a water serpent emerging from the ocean.
Self Serve Goshuincho & Charms
The Shinto Shrines Goshuincho & Charms can be found at a small shrine building across from the Main Shrine Building. Another unique feature of Motonosumi Shrine is the pay what you want feature for the Goshuincho. There are five varieties to choose from: love, victory, luck, happiness, & wealth. The shrine asks for donations in any amount.
Other Features Include: Main Shrine Building
Nearby Attractions in the Nagato City Area
Senjojiki & Higashi Ushitobata Rice Terraces
Best Times to Visit Motonosumi Inari Shrine
- Spring
Spring
Spring is the Best Times to Visit Motonosumi Shrine. The greenery around the red torii gates is at its peak. The cool ocean breeze cuts down on the humidity and the sea is generally calm.
Unique Reasons to Go
- Top Thing to See in Yamaguchi Prefecture
- Named 1 of the Most Beautiful Places in Japan by CNN Travel
- Unique & Challenging Offering Box
Unique Foods to Eat & Where to Get Them
- Nagato Yuzukichi Soft Serve Ice Cream (from the shop by entrance to Shrine Parking Lot) has a key lime pie flavor to it
Admission Fee & Hours
Motonosumi Inari Shrine Admission Fee
Free
Motonosumi Inari Shrine Hours
7:00 – 16:30
How to Access Motonosumi Inari Shrine
Note: Motonosumi Shrine is not easily accessible by public transportation. We highly recommend travelling by car if possible.
By Public Transportation
From Shin-Osaka Station (Osaka) take a Tokaido-Sanyo Shinkansen bound for Hakata Station transferring at Shin Yamaguchi Station to a San-yo Line train Bound for Shimonoseki Station getting off at Asa Station (3 hours 7 minutes, ¥14,050/per person one way)
At Asa Station take a JR Mine Line train bound for Nagato Shi Station transferring at Nagato Shi Station to a JR San In Line train bound for Shimonoseki Station getting off at Nagato Furuichi Station.
From Nagato Furuichi Station take a taxi to to Motonosumi Inari Shrine.
By Car
The roads leading to and from Motonosumi Shrine are one way when you reach Road 66.
Best Motonosumi Inari Shrine Parking Lots
- Shrine Parking Lot (~92 Spaces, ¥300/1st hour, ¥100/hour after that, max ¥500, Public Restrooms)
- Shrine Parking Lot #2 (~24 Spaces, ¥300/1st hour, ¥100/hour after that, max ¥500)