Coastal sanctuary with 123 red torii gates along the Japan Sea, Motonosumi Inari Shrine.
Coastal sanctuary with vibrant red torii gates along the Japan Sea at Motonosumi Inari Shrine.

Motonosumi Inari Shrine

Motonosumi Inari Shrine is located in western Japan, far from the rest of the world. The nearest city, 80 kilometres away, is Yamaguchi. Never heard of it?

Motonosumi Inari Shrine is located in western Japan, far from the rest of the world. The nearest city, 80 kilometres away, is Yamaguchi. Never heard of it? It’s also the capital of the prefecture of the same name 🙂 No, it’s not very touristy. Otherwise, 160 kilometres away, is Fukuoka; 200 kilometres away, Hiroshima. There shouldn’t be so much as a cat here!

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I go there with my parents to watch the sunset. Surprise, surprise: around thirty cars queuing for a space in the small parking lot. I find a secluded spot a kilometre from the entrance to hide the car, in cheeky rascal mood. Don’t want to miss this sunset!

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My obsession with torii is satiated: 123 of them stand here, snaking gracefully along the reef. We’re captivated by the beauty of the site! The sea is beautiful, the torii blazing red, the sky fabulous. My father performs the biglemoi (energy dance …).

But don’t you particularly notice the freshness of the site?

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There’s a good reason. This shrine is recent! It only dates back to 1955 …

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… when a white fox appeared to a local fisherman, promising him the earth if he erected this shrine. No mention of these famous torii at the time.

Indeed, the torii were built during the last renovation, between 1987 and 1997, by a solitary workman! A colossal effort but a touristic stroke of genius, no doubt about that 🙂

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Isn’t the result just perfect?

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As for me, I just wish that all the humans could be replaced by deer, or better still by foxes. Oh, if only I had a magic wand.

Of course, we don’t visit a shrine just for the pleasure of gazing upon it, do we? Those who want their wildest dreams to come true have to try and throw their offerings (small coins, not fruit and veg!) into the little box you can see at the top of the torii below. Someone’s just having a go.

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Motonosumi Inari Shrine

We don’t catch the sunset, but the view from the top of the shrine is so sublime that I admire the changing colours from there. I can’t get enough of it.

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This was the starting point for an incredible two-week trip with my parents, which they’ll never forget. And me neither!

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If you are a torii fan like me, then you might be interested in some of my earlier articles: the 1st day of the year at Orai Shrine: Ocean Gateway, my getaway to Fushimi Inari Shrine at Night, or even the torii among the Azaleas of Nezu Shrine.

And for more awesome content about Japan, follow Jordy Meow on Instagram ! 🎵

Who Am I

Jordy Meow
This is me!

I am Jordy Meow, a French photographer based in Tokyo. I explore offbeat places in Japan.

Instagram

Turquoise whispers, Snow embraces sandy shore — Winter's canvas speaks.ターコイズの囁き、 雪が砂浜を包む — 冬のキャンバスが語る。#tottorisanddunes #winterbeach #uniquescenes #japaneselandscape #offbeatjapan #japan #travelphotography #serenitynow
Turquoise waves clash with gray sentinels of concrete— nature's dance with man. 青波が 灰色の守り手と舞う— 自然と人の踊り。#oceanview #tetrapods #seawall #coastaldefense #offbeatjapan #japan #natureandman #aerialphotography
Torii floats on dreams, Lily pads whisper secrets, Sky meets sacred calm. 鳥居は夢に浮かび、 蓮の葉が囁く秘密、 空は神聖な静けさと出会う。 #ToriiReflections #WaterWhispers #SacredCalm #EtherealNature #JapanScenes #OffbeatJapan #Japan
Under soft light's glow, Textures whisper stories here— Night swallows the day. 光の下、 話す質感、夜— 昼を飲み込む。 #yokocho #urbanjapan #moodyvibes #japanstreets #nightscapes #offbeatjapan #japan
Cherry blooms whisper On the island of stillness, Mist holds nature's breath. 桜が囁く 静けさの島で 霧が息を呑む #offbeatjapan #japan #sakura #cherryblossom #naturelovers #serenity #reflections #dreamscape
Cool blue pool of dreams Framed by fiery autumn hues, Silent whispers merge. 静かな青い夢のプール 燃える秋色に縁取られ、 静かなささやきが交わる。 #offbeatjapan #japan #haiku #abandonedbeauty #autumnvibes #hiddenarchitectures #naturecontrast
Blue night whispers here, Red lights dance with signs aglow, Takoyaki dreams.  青い夜ささやく 赤い光舞う 看板は輝く たこ焼きの夢  #offbeatjapan #japan #takoyaki #japanstreetnight #urbanserenity #neonnights #suburbansoil #quietstreets
Worn stones tell stories, Ancient gate meets cityscape— Tradition whispers. 石畳 古門で都市会う 伝統囁く #offbeatjapan #japan #traditionandmodernity #cityscape #serenity #ancientarchitecture #urbanblend