Motonosumi Shrine

Built in 1955 following a dream visited by a white fox spirit, Motonosumi Shrine began at one torii gate, then grew over a decade into a tunnel of 123 vermilion gates stretching more than 100 meters toward the Sea of Japan. As you walk through this curving, sloping corridor of gates, painted that rich red traditional shade, you feel the pounding surf below, the salty breeze, and the dramatic contrast of sea blue ocean against all that bold red.

At the far end stands an imposing torii gate, about 5-6 meters tall, and at its top is the shrine’s famed offering box, said to be one of the hardest to hit in Japan. Visitors line up to test their aim, tossing coins skyward. When one drops in, cheers ring out and tradition says your wish will come true. It’s playful, spiritual, and utterly unforgettable.

Below the cliff, where waves crash into sea carved caves, you might witness “Ryugu no Shiofuki”, a powerful plume of spray shooting skyward in stormy conditions, sometimes topped by a rainbow when the light is just right. That natural spectacle adds another layer of wonder to this already magical setting.

Although modern, this shrine is less than a century old, it feels timeless. Inside the approach the donor plaques inside the torii, small stone fox statues, and wildflowers wending through the gates create a quiet sense of pilgrimage. Hawks often glide overhead, and on still days butterflies drift across the path.

Today Motonosumi is privately owned by the founding family and not part of the official Shinto shrine system, a rare case where the site retains a warm, personal charm even as its fame spreads. Its striking beauty earned it a spot on CNN’s list of Japan’s 31 Most Beautiful Places, and soon after annual visits grew from thousands into over a million per year.