Amano-Iwato Shrine

Amano-Iwato Shrine is one of the shrines that appear in Japanese mythology.
According to the myth, Amaterasu fought with a god named Yamatono-orochi-kami, who became so angry that he retreated to an iwaya (rock cave) called Amano-Iwato.

Later, the story goes, the gods danced a dance in front of Amano-Iwato, and Amaterasu came out of the iwaya.

Amano-Iwato Shrine is known as the shrine dedicated to Amaterasu and Yamata-Torochi in honor of this myth.

In the precincts of the shrine, there is a stone structure in the shape of Amano-Iwato and the Taitai-Shinkyo, a mirror that Amaterasu is said to have broken through.

In the East Main Shrine, there is gojinsui (divine water) that gushes from the root of a cedar tree.
In the West Main Shrine, there is a Bikkokan (museum) that exhibits approximately 2,000 valuable materials from the ancient Takachiho region.

The shrine is also famous for its beautiful natural surroundings, with the sacred Ogatama tree and ancient ginkgo tree on the grounds.

In addition, Shinto rituals and Kagura (Shinto music and dance) are held at the annual festival in November every year.

Spring Grand Festival of Amano-Iwato Shrine
The “Wish Festival” is held at the west main shrine of Amano-Iwato Shrine to pray for a good harvest and peace. Accompanied by a portable shrine, a team of stick figures, bells, drums, mortar and mortar drums, and a team of sacred masks, the male-masked Tajikarao-no-mikoto and female-masked Ameno-uzume-no-Mikoto lead the procession to the west main shrine, where stick figures, martial arts and Amano-Iwato Kagura are dedicated to the deity.