Amanoiwato Jinja (天岩戸神社)
4.5
This Shinto shrine is dedicated to the myth of Ama-no-Iwato, the cave to be where the sun goddess Amaterasu once hid herself from the world according to the Kojiki, the oldest existing chronicle of Japan. The shrine’s western and eastern main shrine buildings are dedicated to Amaterasu and straddle the Iwato River. After requesting to do so at the shrine office in the western shrine building, visitors can be purified and are then allowed to worship directly before the Ama-no-Iwato cave. In addition, the river bed (Amano-yasugawara) and cave where the innumerable gods and goddesses gathered and discussed what to do after Amaterasu went into hiding, is a 10-minute walk from the Western shrine building along the Iwato River.
Miyazaki Prefecture Nishiusuki-gun, Takachiho-cho, amano-iwato 1073-1 (Takachiho / NobeokaArea)
8:30-17:00
Review of Amano Iwato Shrine
TripAdvisor Traveler RatingThe water is ice cold so we enjoyed a toes-deep.
The routers is about 3/4-1 km down an up.
You may...
Details
- Address
- Miyazaki Prefecture Nishiusuki-gun, Takachiho-cho, amano-iwato 1073-1 [map]
- Phone
- 0982748239
- Hours
- 8:30-17:00
- Closed
- open everyday
- Fees
- [Admission fee to worship]
Free
[Amanoiwato Chokokan]
[Adult] 100yen
[Children] 50yen - Parking Lot
- Available (200 spaces in 4 locations)
- Credit Card
- Not available
- Smoking
- Others (Separate areas for smoking and non-smoking)
- Wi-Fi
- Available
- Can be enjoyed even on a rainy day
- Yes
- Estimated stay time
- 30-60 minutes
- Wheelchair accessible
- Available
- Infant friendly
- Available
- Pet friendly
- Yes (no toilets on the approach)
Information Sources: NAVITIME JAPAN
Access
Miyazaki Areas

An unmissable highlight of Kyushu, Miyazaki prefecture satisfies nature lovers with its dramatic gorges cut out of rugged cliffs, leading into waterfalls and beaches of green-blue water popular among surfers. Takachiho Gorge in the north of the prefecture tells a tale of centuries-old Japanese mythology in a fantastic setting, allowing visitors to explore the waters by boat before heading up to the cave at the Awano Iwato Shrine, where the sun goddess was said to have hidden, plunging the world into darkness.