8th Century Shrine
Nestled along the Kumano coast, Hananoiwaya Shrine is revered as one of Japan’s oldest Shinto shrines, with its origins chronicled in the 8th-century Nihon Shoki. Rather than traditional structures, the shrine venerates a towering 45-meter rock formation believed to be the final resting place of the goddess Izanami, a central figure in Japan's creation myths. Twice annually, on February 2 and October 2, the shrine hosts the Otsunakake Shinji festival, during which a 170-meter sacred rope is suspended from the rock to a nearby pine tree—a ritual designated as an Intangible Folk Cultural Asset of Mie Prefecture. Visitors often partake in the custom of placing white stones into the rock's crevices while making wishes. Situated near the scenic Shichiri Mihama Beach, Hananoiwaya Shrine offers a profound glimpse into ancient spiritual practices amidst natural beauty. Short walk from Arii station.
