⛩️ Udo Shrine

Udo Shrine is a very rare shrine built within a cave on a seaside cliff. It is said to be highly effective in blessing safe childbirth, child-rearing, marital happiness, as well as fishing and maritime safety. The area around Udo Shrine, known as the Udo region, has been designated as a national scenic spot in Japan. To visit the shrine, one must descend approximately 800 meters of stone steps built on the cliff. The cave covers an area of about 1,000 square meters and is said to be the place where the goddess Toyotama-hime built a birthing room for her delivery in Japanese mythology. Inside the cave, there is a rock called "Mitsuki-iwa," which is said to have been left by Princess Toyotama when she returned to the Dragon Palace so that she could continue nursing her child. The "Mitsuki" made from the water that drips from this rock is very popular, and it is said that just licking the "Mitsuki" can bless women with abundant milk. In front of the main hall is the "Seishi Kameishi," which is believed to be the incarnation of the divine turtle that carried Princess Toyotama from the sea palace to the land. There is a concave hole in the middle of the turtle stone. It is said that if you throw a "Kaiun-mame" (fortune bean) into the hole while making a wish, your wish will come true. Men should throw with their left hand, while women should use their right hand. From the Edo period to the Meiji period, there was a wedding custom known as "Shan Shan Uma" (鈴鐺馬), where brides would ride horses and grooms would lead horses to worship at Udo Shrine. Although this custom has disappeared, it is still revived as a traditional cultural event during annual festival activities.

A shrine filled with mysterious colors. Inside the cave, there is a main hall painted in bright red. It is said to be very effective in blessing safe childbirth, child-rearing, marital happiness, as well as fishing and maritime safety. The shrine sells a local specialty called "乳糖" (nyūtō), which is said to bless women with abundant milk if they lick it. It is rumored that if you throw a "開運豆" (kaiun mame) that you have made a wish on into the hole in the turtle stone, your wish will come true. Nearby the shrine, there are the magnificent Udo Senjōjiki rock formations (also known as "Oni no Soroiwai").