Complete guide to Motonosumi Shrine: history, access, parking, benefits & red seal information

Motonosumi Shrine, located in Nagato City, Yamaguchi Prefecture, is a popular tourist spot that attracts many visitors from outside the prefecture because of its mysterious scenery of 123 red torii gates with the Sea of Japan in the background.

This article provides a thorough explanation of the history, access, parking, and other basic information you should know before visiting Motonosumi Shrine.

Several highlights of the shrine, including the 123 red torii gates, are also explained, so if you are planning to visit the shrine for the first time, this is a good place to start.

What is Motonosumi Shrine? 

Motonosumi Shrine was built according to a dream of a local fisherman, and has long been a favorite shrine of the local people for its various benefits, including business success.

This section provides basic information about Motonosumi Shrine, its history, and benefits.

If you are wondering what kind of shrine Motonosumi Shrine is, you can get a rough understanding of it, so why not check it out if you are wondering whether or not to visit the shrine?

Basic Information

Motonosumi Shrine is famous for its spectacular view of the Sea of Japan and its 123 red torii gates.

History

Motonosumi Shrine was founded in 1955 by a local fisherman after a dream.

In the early years of its foundation, there was only a hall, but a shrine was built in 1958, and the current shrine building was constructed between 1987 and 1997, at which time 123 red torii gates were also dedicated.

Since the dedication of the red torii gate, the shrine has become widely known for its mysterious scenery, and since the beginning of 2022, it has become a popular destination for both domestic and international tourists.

grace (of God)

People believe that Motonosumi Shrine offers many benefits, including prosperous business.

• rush of business
• big catch
• maritime safety
• good match
• the treasure that is children
• winning hand containing two identical chows (i.e. same numbers and same suit)
• wealth and happiness
• traffic safety
• academic success

Since the shrine enshrines the guardian god of the fishing village, many people visit the shrine every year not only for its sea-related blessings such as big catches and safety at sea, but also for its blessings related to life partners such as childbirth and good marriage.

Access to Motonosumi Shrine by every means of transportation 

There are multiple ways to access Motonosumi Shrine, and it is important to choose the method of travel that best suits your travel plans.

Here, access to Motonosumi Shrine is described by means of transportation.

Information on parking lots to use if you are using your own car and notes on using public transportation are also explained, so please refer to them if you are visiting Motonosumi Shrine for the first time.

car

The estimated time required to visit Motonosumi Shrine by private car is as follows

• Approximately 1 hour from the Mine IC of the Chugoku Expressway

Motonosumi Shrine has parking lots 1 and 2, so it is recommended that you make use of them if you are going by private car.

Rates are the same for both parking lots 1 and 2.

• Passenger cars: 300 yen per hour (100 yen for each hour over 1 hour, up to 500 yen) (100 yen for each additional hour, up to a maximum of 500 yen)
• Motorcycle: 100 yen/trip

Please note that the road to Motonosumi Shrine has many narrow roads, and tourist buses may pass by.

bus

It is difficult to get to Motonosumi Shrine by bus from the nearest station, as there is no direct bus service to the shrine.

However, it is sometimes incorporated into bus tours such as the " Bus Tour 2025 'Fukuro no Tabi, Yamaguchi-go' to Kakunoshima and Motonosumi Shrine, " so we recommend that those who wish to tour the tourist attractions of Yamaguchi Prefecture efficiently at a reasonable price should consider this option.

train

The nearest stations to Motonosumi Shrine are "Nagato Furuichi Station" from the direction of "Nagato City Station" on the JR San'in Line and "Hitomaru Station" from the direction of "Shimonoseki Station".

We recommend that you take a cab from the station, as it is not within walking distance, even though it is the closest one.

• Nagato Furuichi Station: 20 minutes one way (one way fare: around 3,000 yen)
• Hitomaru Station: 20 minutes one way (one way fare: around 3,000 yen)

o Taxi from the station

• In front of Nagato Furuichi Station: Furuichi Taxi (TEL: 0837-37-3194)
• Hitomaru Taxi in front of Hitomaru Station/(TEL: 0837-32-1126)

*If you know the date and time of your visit, please call in advance to make a reservation for smooth service.

What are the highlights of Motonosumi Shrine?

Since Motonosumi Shrine is a shrine with multiple attractions, researching the buildings and sights on the shrine grounds in advance will help you enjoy Motonosumi Shrine to the fullest smoothly.

Here we explain four highlights of Motonosumi Shrine.

The wide range of information picked up here, from the famous 123 red torii gates to information on red seals, makes this a must-see for those who want to fully enjoy the charms of Motonosumi Shrine from a variety of angles.

123 torii gates

At Motonosumi Shrine, "123 torii" gates are dedicated on the cliffs just off the coast of the Sea of Japan.

The path through the torii gates, dedicated over a period of more than 10 years, is more than 100 meters long. Just passing through the many torii gates provides a mystical atmosphere.

The deep blue of the Sea of Japan, the beautiful green of the mountains, and the vivid red of the torii gate provide a stunning contrast, making this a very photogenic spot as well as a beneficial one.

The Squirting of the Dragon Palace

Tatsunomiya no Ushiofuki is a sightseeing spot near Motonosumi Shrine. Especially in winter, the strong northerly winds cause the waves to crash against the rocks, causing the seawater to blow up through the cracks in the rocks, known as the "tidal blast phenomenon.

The name is derived from the way the seawater blows up, which looks like tides spouting out from the Dragon's Palace, and gives the visitor a sense of the power of nature.

Especially in winter, the rough waves cause the sea water to rise higher, so those who want to see a powerful form of the sea should visit in winter.

large torii

Motonosumi Shrine has an "Otorii" gateway that stands more than 6 meters high.

A money-offering box is placed above the Otorii gate, and it is said that if you throw it in, your wish will come true. This is a popular spot at the shrine, as is the approach to the Akatorii (red gate), where many people struggle to successfully throw in their money.

In addition, the donation boxes are located not only on top of the Otorii but also on the pillars of the torii, so if you cannot throw your money in properly, please put your donation here.

Red seal of white fox

Red seals for Motonosumi Shrine can be obtained at the unmanned awarding office located near the Otorii Gate.

A white fox enshrined at Motonosumi Shrine is designed on the red seal, and there are 10 types (12 colors in all) to choose from: love, victory, prosperity, prosperity, happiness, fortune, wealth, chi, 成, and 隆 (*).

Why not choose letters related to your wishes and keep them in your red seal book as a memory of your trip?

(*)Please pay the first fee with your feelings (about 500 yen is a rough estimate).

Frequently asked questions about Motonosumi Shrine 

Here are some frequently asked questions about Motonosumi Shrine in a Q&A format.

What deities are enshrined at Motonosumi Shrine?

Motonosumi Shrine was founded at the behest of a white fox that appeared in a dream and is enshrined as the guardian deity of fishing villages along the Sea of Japan.

How much is the admission fee to Motonosumi Shrine?

Admission is free.

What should I be aware of when visiting Motonosumi Shrine?

Hours of visitation are from 7:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Visitors must leave the shrine grounds by 4:30 p.m. Entry and photography are prohibited at night.

summary

In this article, we have explained the basic information you need to know before visiting Motonosumi Shrine, including history, access, and parking.

Motonosumi Shrine is known as the only scenic spot in Japan with a magnificent view of the Japan Sea and the red torii gate.

It is a recommended spot where you can experience the grandeur of nature and the mysterious atmosphere of a shrine all at once, so why not stop by when you visit Yamaguchi Prefecture?

Photo: Koichi (@Kfish1882 )/Cooperation: NICO STOP )