Motonosumi Shrine

Why visit

The shrine was founded in 1955 after a local fisherman said the white fox spirit of Inari, the god of good harvests and business, had appeared to him in a dream. Over the next decades, worshippers donated torii gates one by one, until 123 of them lined the path down the cliff. Seen from above, the red gates curving through the green grass against the blue sea make one of the great images of Japan, and in 2015 CNN named it among the most beautiful places in the country.

What to see

• The tunnel of torii: walk down through the gates towards the sea, then look back up the cliff for the best view.
• The offering box: on top of the large torii at the entrance, about 5 metres up, there is a small box. If you can throw a coin into it, your wish is said to come true.
• The blowhole: on stormy days, waves force sea water up through a hole in the rocks below the shrine in a tall spray, known locally as the dragon palace’s spout.
• The coast: rugged rocks and very clear water, with views along the coast to the islands.

Check before you go

The shrine is very popular, and to manage the crowds, worship there has been partly suspended on many weekends and public holidays in 2026, while the shop and car park stay open. Check the latest arrangements on the Nagato city tourism website before you plan your visit, and come on a weekday if you can. Read our full guide to visiting Motonosumi Shrine.

Tips

• There is no bus. Drive, take a taxi from Nagatoshi Station (about 40 minutes), or join a tour.
• Come early in the morning or late in the afternoon for softer light and fewer people.
• The path is uneven and steep in places. Wear good shoes.
• Combine the shrine with Tsunoshima Bridge, about an hour away, on a drive along the north coast.