Ama no Iwato Shrine

Shrine

Prefecture

Miyazaki

Type

Shrine

N/A

0 reviews

Free

Entry Fee

Free Entry

About This Destination

Sacred shrine marking the cave where the sun goddess Amaterasu hid, plunging the world into darkness in one of Japan's foundational myths.

Ama no Iwato Shrine is one of Japan's most mythologically significant shrines, marking the cave where the sun goddess Amaterasu hid after a dispute with her brother Susanoo, plunging the world into darkness. According to the Kojiki, the other gods gathered at the nearby Amano Yasukawara riverbed cave to devise a plan to lure her out with a raucous celebration. The shrine spans both banks of the Iwato River, with the Western Shrine offering guided views of the actual cave from across the gorge. The Amano Yasukawara cave is a short walk upstream, where visitors stack stones to make wishes amid hundreds of cairns left by pilgrims. Combined with nearby Takachiho Gorge, this area offers an unforgettable journey into the heart of Japanese mythology.

Location

Prefecture: Miyazaki

Address: Takachiho, Miyazaki, Japan

Nearest Station: No direct train access (bus from Takachiho)

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Visitor Information

Credit Cards: Unknown

Food Options: No on-site dining. Restaurants in Takachiho town serve local specialties including Takachiho beef and nagashi somen.

Official Website

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I get to Ama no Iwato Shrine?

Ama no Iwato Shrine is a 15-minute drive (or 20-minute Miyako Bus ride, around 360 yen) from Takachiho town center. Takachiho itself is reached by Miyako Bus from Kumamoto (3 hours, 2,500 yen) or Nobeoka (1 hour 25 minutes, 1,810 yen). There is no train service to Takachiho — rental car or bus from one of those gateway cities is essential. Free parking at the shrine.

Can I see inside the cave?

Not into the actual sacred Ama-no-Iwato cave (it's the shrine's holy object and remains closed to ordinary visitors). However, the West Shrine (Nishi-Hongu) offers free guided tours every 30 minutes (in Japanese) where a priest leads small groups to the goyohaijo viewpoint platform across the Iwato River for a clear view of the cave entrance from across the gorge. No photography is permitted there. Guided tours run roughly 8:30 AM–4:30 PM.

What's special about Amano Yasukawara?

Amano Yasukawara is a riverside cave 15 minutes' walk upstream from the West Shrine, where (according to the Kojiki) the gods gathered to plot how to lure Amaterasu out of her cave. Visitors stack stones into small cairns to make wishes — over time, this has created a startling, almost otherworldly landscape with thousands of stone towers covering the riverbed and cave floor. It's free to visit, open 24 hours, and especially atmospheric on misty mornings. Bring shoes you don't mind getting muddy.

What else can I see in the Takachiho area?

Takachiho Gorge — a dramatic narrow basalt gorge with the Manai Falls — is 10 minutes by car from Ama no Iwato. You can rent a rowboat (4,100 yen for 30 minutes) to see the gorge from below. Takachiho Shrine in town hosts nightly Yokagura kagura dance performances (1,000 yen). The Aratate Shrine and Nishio Shoji's Yokagura Hall offer cultural depth. Allow at least 1 full day or ideally an overnight in Takachiho to see all key sights without rushing.