Motonosumi Inari Shrine

A Shinto shrine located in Nagato City, Yamaguchi Prefecture. Although there are many “Inari” shrines in the country, Motonosumi Inari Shrine uses characters which differ from those normally used to write “Inari” and is one of only two shrines in the country to use these specific characters for “Inari.” After a white fox appeared besides the pillow of the head of a local fisherman’s union and made a pronouncement, this shrine was established here as a branch shrine of the Taikodani Inari-jinja Shrine in Shimane Prefecture in 1955. The shrine is said to provide worshipers with a variety of boons, including prosperous business, maritime safety, luck in love and marriage, luck in having children, improved fortunes, and protection from evil and misfortune. The shrine’s biggest highlight is the 123 red torii gates which form a tunnel along a path leading from the sea to the shrine at the top of a hill. In the background, blue ocean stretches to the horizon and the area’s famed “Ryugu no Shiofuki” (“The Dragon Spout”) occasionally bursts into the air in a shower of mist, and this site was even elected by the CNN television network in the US as one of the 31 most beautiful spots in Japan. The giant torii gate at the end of the trail has an offertory box on top famous for being the most difficult to place a coin into in Japan.

Spot details

Address: Yamaguchi Pref. Nagatoshi Yuyatsuou 498 Map
Area: Nagato Area
Hours: 5:30-17:30
Closed: open everyday
Parking Lot: Available (Bus 6 spaces, Motorcycle Approx. 20 spaces)
Credit Card: Available (store only VISA, MasterCard)
Smoking: Available
Wi-Fi: Available (Nagato Free Wi-Fi)
Notification: [Contact] Nagato City Tourist Information Center YUKUTE:0837-26-0708
Estimated stay time: 30-60 minutes