The mysterious sacred place hidden in Miyazaki, Japan | Amano Iwato Shrine

|Amanoiwato Shrine. The mysterious sacred place hidden in Miyazaki, Japan | Amano Iwato Shrine A sacred place full of mystery and history - Amano Iwato Shrine. It is like a messenger that travels through time for thousands of years, quietly telling the myths and legends of ancient Japan. Origin: The sacred place where myths were born The history of Amano Iwato Shrine dates back to Japan's oldest mythological era. Legend has it that Izanami-no-Mikoto died giving birth to the god of fire. Izanagi-no-Mikoto was so grief-stricken that he went to the underworld to look for her. However, when he saw the horrible and decayed appearance of Izanami-no-Mikoto, he turned around and fled in fear. Izanami-no-no-Mikoto was resentful of being rejected by her husband, so she sent the ugly woman Yomi to hunt him down. In order to avoid being hunted down, Izanagi-no-Mikoto returned to the human world and performed a purification ceremony. During the ceremony, many gods were born from his clothes, among which Amaterasu, Tsukuyomi-no-Mikoto and Susanoo were the most famous. Later, Susanoo made a big fuss in the Heavenly Palace in Takachiho. Amaterasu was terrified and hid in Amano Iwato. The world was instantly plunged into darkness. The gods tried every possible way to make Amaterasu come back. They placed a Yasakani no Magatama in front of Tianyanhu, and asked Tianyu Shoumi to dance beside it, while the gods laughed on the side. Amaterasu was attracted by the laughter outside and curiously opened the gap in the rock door. At this moment, the god of hand strength quickly grabbed the rock door and pulled it open, and light descended on the world again. The Amano Iwato Shrine is said to be the location of the Amano Iwato where Amaterasu Omikami hid. In order to commemorate this myth, people built a shrine here, which has a history of thousands of years. Featured attractions: Every step is a scene, all are divine will 🏮Main Hall: The main hall of Tianyanhu Shrine has a simple and elegant architectural style, solemn and dignified. It adopts the typical Shinmei-zukuri architectural style. The beams and pillars made of cypress wood exude a faint wood fragrance, as if telling people the story of the years. The main hall enshrines gods such as Amaterasu, and people who come to worship pray for peace, happiness and good luck with a pious heart. Whenever the sun shines on the roof of the main hall, the golden light and the vermilion shrine building complement each other beautifully, like a sacred painting. 🌳Shinbashi Bridge: The Shinto Bridge connecting the entrance of the shrine and the main hall is also a major attraction. This small wooden bridge spans over a clear stream and is surrounded by green trees, with different scenery in different seasons. 🧚‍♀️御影石: Deep inside the shrine, there is a huge御影石, which is considered to be a symbol of the Ama-Iwato where Amaterasu is hiding. The stone has a smooth surface, a strange shape, and is surrounded by a mysterious atmosphere. Legend has it that touching this stone can gain the blessing of the gods, so it attracts many tourists to come and find out. Standing in front of the Imperial Shadow Stone and closing your eyes, you can almost feel that the thrilling mythological story from thousands of years ago is being played out before your eyes. 🎎Festival: There are many festivals at Amano Iwato Shrine, the most famous of which is "Yokagura". Every year from December 15th to 17th, the shrine holds a grand night Kagura performance. Dancers in traditional costumes performed a mysterious and solemn dance to the accompaniment of Kagura. Their dancing was graceful and their movements were smooth, as if they were having a conversation with the gods across time and space. The Yokagura performance is not only a visual and auditory feast, but also a heritage and promotion of Japanese traditional culture. Tips for Playing 🚗Transportation: From Miyazaki City, you can take the JR Nichinan Line to Takachiho Station, and then take a bus to Amano Iwato Shrine. If you drive yourself, you can enjoy the beautiful rural scenery along the way. 🍱Food: There are many special foods worth trying around the shrine. For example, Takachiho soba noodles have a smooth and chewy texture, and are paired with delicious soup and unique seasonings, which are very memorable. There are also various local dishes made with fresh local ingredients, and every bite is full of strong local flavor. 🕙Opening hours: The shrine is open all year round, with different scenery and activities in different seasons. It is recommended to avoid holidays so that you can enjoy the beauty of the shrine more leisurely and feel its tranquility and sacredness. Amano Iwato Shrine, a holy place carrying thousands of years of history and myths and legends, is like a shining pearl inlaid in the land of Miyazaki, Japan. It is not only an important symbol of Japanese traditional culture, but also a spiritual sustenance and destination for people.