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A long line of red torii gates winding down a green cliff toward the deep blue Sea of Japan at Motonosumi Shrine
Photo: yuki5287, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Yamaguchi · shrine

Motonosumi Shrine

元乃隅神社

A Nagato shrine where 123 red torii gates run from a clifftop towards the Sea of Japan. Blue sea, green and vermilion made it famous worldwide.

Red torii gates running along a grassy slope above rocky coast and blue sea
Photo: yuki5287, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Looking up at the large red torii with the small offering box fixed high on its crossbeam
Photo: yuki5287, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

A shrine that began with a white fox's message

Motonosumi Shrine stands on the Sea of Japan coast in the Yuya area of Nagato, Yamaguchi Prefecture. It is said to have been founded in 1955 after Okamura Hitoshi, a local amimoto (a fishing boss who owned boats and nets and led the fishermen), received a message from a white fox.

It used to be called Motonosumi Inari Shrine, but is now known as Motonosumi Shrine. Nagato City notes that it has no connection with Taikodani Inari Shrine in Shimane Prefecture. It is believed to bring blessings such as business prosperity, good catches, safety at sea and finding a partner.

123 torii running down to the sea

The main attraction is the row of 123 torii donated over ten years from 1987. They run for more than 100m along a slope and stone steps from the side of the rocky shore known as Ryugu no Shiofuki ("the Dragon Palace blowhole"). A torii is the gate that marks the entrance to a shrine, and this view of so many vermilion gates in a row was included in CNN's list of the "31 most beautiful places in Japan".

High up on the large torii, about 6m above the ground, is an offertory box (saisen-bako, the box you drop money into when you pray). You have to throw your coins up into it from below, and it is known as "the hardest offertory box in Japan to get money into".

Beyond the torii, Ryugu no Shiofuki is a spot where seawater shoots up when the waves crash into the rocks.

In 2026, watch out for closed days

In 2026 there are "no worship" days, mainly on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays from March to November. The shrine is also closed over Golden Week (a cluster of holidays in late April and early May) and Obon (the mid-August holiday), though in some months there are weekends that are not closed. According to the Yamaguchi Prefecture Tourism Federation, walking through the torii and the high offertory box are also temporarily suspended because of repair work on the torii. Before you go, be sure to check the latest information on the Nagato City or Yamaguchi Prefecture tourism websites.

Even on closed days, you are said to still be able to visit the area around Ryugu no Shiofuki.

Getting there

This is a difficult place to reach by bus and train alone. From the nearest stations, Nagato-Furuichi and Hitomaru on the JR San'in Main Line, it is about 20 minutes by taxi. By car it takes about 60 minutes from the Mine interchange on the Chugoku Expressway.

There are two car parks (paid). The surrounding roads are narrow mountain roads, so allow plenty of time. Nearby is Senjojiki, an upland spot looking down over the Sea of Japan.

Tips

  • In 2026 there are many closed days, and walking through the torii is suspended for repair work. Always check the closed days on the official tourism website before you set out.
  • It is hard to reach by public transport, so plan on a hire car or taxi.
  • The tunnel of torii follows a slope and stone steps. Wear comfortable shoes.

Sources

Updated 28 September 2026. Opening hours and prices change, so check the official site before you go.

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