Meoto Iwa

Meoto Iwa, the Wedded Rocks, are a pair of sacred sea stacks located off the coast of Futami in Ise City, connected by a heavy shimenawa rope that symbolizes the sacred bond between husband and wife. The larger rock, representing the husband, stands nine meters tall while the smaller wife rock reaches four meters. The rocks are part of the grounds of Futami Okitama Shrine, which sits along the shore and is dedicated to the deity Sarutahiko. Between May and July, the rising sun can be seen framed perfectly between the two rocks, creating one of Japan's most iconic sunrise views. Traditionally, visitors to Ise Grand Shrine would purify themselves in the sea at Futami before making their pilgrimage, making this site an important spiritual waypoint for centuries.