3 spiritual spots nearby Takachiho Gorge in Miyazaki

This sacred place is located 10 minutes away from Amanoiwato West Main Shrine by walking along the Iwato River.
A myriad of 800 gods were supposed to confer in this area when the sun goddess Amaterasu withdrew into a cave and darkness fell upon the world.
It is said that assembling a pile of stones here can make wishes come true. The stones piles from past visitors also enhance the interesting spiritual atmosphere.

Takachiho Shrine is famous for enshrining the god of marriage and love.
There is the “couple cedar” where two cedars are fused together at their trunks.
When couples walk around the trees three times hand in hand, they would be blessed with happiness.

If you have time, you can drive one and a half hour among the beautiful scenery from the Takachiho Gorge and reach the Sea of Cruz.
Coastal erosion here has formed unique rock formations in a columnar joint shape for 200 meters East to West and 220 meters North to South. The 10-meter-high cliffs appear as a cross which was named the Sea of Cruz.
From above, the nearby small rock island together with the cross resemble the Chinese character “叶”, which means to be blessed or fulfilled. It is said that praying here makes your wishes come true.