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JAPAN LIFE & TRAVEL GUIDE
@arisachw

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Many have heard the myth of how the Sun Goddess Amaterasu plunged the world into total darkness by hiding in a cave because she was furious and upset with her younger sibling; Other deities conspire together to lure her out which resulted the rock door of her cave landing in present day Nagano at a place known as “Mt Togakushi” which translates to “The Hiding door”. The questions is, if the door landed in Nagano.. then where’s the actual cave mentioned in the myth? Does it even exist? . . . The cave is hidden away along Iwato river on the grounds of Amanoiwato Shrine ( 天岩戸神社 西本宮) in Miyazaki prefecture! Ever since I heard of this story during my first trip to Togakushi, I made it my mission to search for the cave and it was worth the journey! 🥹 To those who visited without knowing the story will just see this as an ordinary cave. It requires a 10 mins easy hike from the main Shrine, you’ll be greeted with tons of fresh greenery and cooling air; definitely 2-3 degrees lower here compared to above. Locals believe that this cave is a ‘Power Spot’ so they’ll come here to pray and the piled up rocks around the cave are left by worshipers wishing for ‘Good Luck’. It is said if you accidentally knock over a pile, you would have to build 2 to atone for your clumsiness😅 Was it worth traveling over 1000km for this cave? YES!! Plus it’s not too far from Takachiho Gorge. ⚠️ Lately this spot has became popular thanks to Instagram but a reminder to be mindful that this is a place of worship so keep your voices down, do not litter and leave the place as you came. 📍 Amanoiwato Shrine #天岩戸神社 西本宮 . . . 📌 Share and save this post for your upcoming Japan trip! 🗾Follow @arisachw for more Japan life and travel content ⚠️Reposting to other than stories requires permission, DM to inquire #Miyazaki #Japantrip #Japantravel #kyushu #九州旅行 #宮崎観光