Amanoiwato Shrine

A shrine revered by the people of Kyushu for generations. It is believed that the deity Amaterasu hid in this cave out of fear of the deity Susanoo, plunging the world into darkness. Later, Amaterasu was coaxed out by the other deities through festive activities in front of the cave, bringing light back to the world. **Amanoiwato Shrine** (天岩戸神社, Amanoiwato-jinja) is a Shinto shrine located in Takachiho, Miyazaki Prefecture, Japan. This shrine holds significant importance in Japanese mythology as it is associated with the legend of the sun goddess **Amaterasu**. According to the legend, Amaterasu hid herself in a cave called **Amanoiwato** (meaning 'Heavenly Rock Cave') after being angered by her brother Susanoo. This event caused the world to be engulfed in darkness since she is the sun goddess. The other deities gathered outside the cave to devise a plan to lure her out, which involved the passionate dance of the goddess Ame-no-Uzume. Eventually, Amaterasu was drawn out, bringing light back to the world. ### Key Features of Amanoiwato Shrine: - **Mythological Significance**: The shrine is built near the Amanoiwato cave, believed to be the hiding place of Amaterasu. The cave itself is not open to the public, but visitors can view it from a sacred observation point nearby, guided by the shrine's priests. - **Sacred River**: Near the shrine is **Amano-Yasukawara**, a small cave by the Iwato River where the deities gathered to discuss how to bring Amaterasu out of the cave. It is a pilgrimage site where visitors leave stone piles as offerings. - **Cultural Importance**: The shrine and its surroundings are considered one of the most sacred sites in Shinto, deeply connected to the origins of Shinto mythology. Visitors to Amanoiwato Shrine are captivated by its spiritual atmosphere and unique place in the mythological creation stories of Japan. I booked a flight to Fukuoka at noon with Trip.com. Got the ticket really fast.