Amano Iwato Shrine, in Takachiho

Takachiho is a birth place of Japanese indigenous religion, Shinto. There is a story of Shinto

origin in the Cave behind of Amano Iwato Shrine, and Amano Yasugawara. In the story,

Amaterasu, the Shinto sun goddess, became so outraged by her brother’s cruel pranks that

she hid herself in a cave, refusing to come out and depriving the world of her life-giving light.

All of the other gods and goddesses gathered to lure her out. They tried everything they

could think of to no avail until one goddess performed an outrageously ribald dance that

caused the other gods to roar with laughter. Amaterasu left the cave to see what all the fun

was about, and in doing so she returned her light to the world.

Amano Iwato Shrine

About ten kilometers outside of central Takachiho, Amano Iwato Shrine was built near

the Cave where Amaterasu is said to have hid herself away.

The cave cannot be approached, however, there is an observation deck behind the shrine’s

main building from where you can gaze across the river. In order to access the observation

deck, you need to inquire at the shrine entrance, and a priest will give you a quick guided tour.

Amano Yasukawara

A short walk down the road from Amano Iwato Shrine is a path that leads down to the river

below. After a few minutes on this path you will see neat little piles of stones stacked along

the river by previous visitors to mark their pilgrimage to this “power spot”.

Farther along, the stacks become more numerous until you are surrounded by literally

thousands of them as far as you can see. Eventually the path leads to a simple shrine

inside a cave known as Amano Yasugawara.

This is said to be the cave where the gods and goddesses met to discuss their strategy

of luring Amaterasu out of hiding. The natural beauty of the cave and river lined by

countless stacks of stones make Amano Yasukawara a place not to miss.