Tranquil sunset at Oarai Isosaki Shrine in Japan, with iconic torii gate.
Tranquil sunset view of Oarai Isosaki Shrine with iconic torii gate in Japan.

Oarai Shrine: Ocean Gateway

Oarai Shrine is also known as Kamiiso no Torii, the Gateway of the Sea God. It was established in 856 but rebuilt in 1690.

January 1st, 4.30am. After a two-hour drive from Tokyo, we finally arrive at Oarai. Hundreds of people here, car parks full and combini (convenience) stores besieged. But we’re happy to be here. Conditions seem to promise a crazy hatsuhinode (first sunrise of the year)! I’m seething with impatience.

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6.50am. While we’re wondering if there’ll be a repeat of the terrifying Great Wave off Kanagawa, the sun finally rises behind a raging ocean. It’s anything but peaceful!

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So 2018 is here! Akemashite! Yoi otoshi! Happy New Year! Exchange kisses. And now …

Torii! Together!

The waves go wild, break on the gravel beach, and force the helpless photographers against the stone wall. We’re all trapped.

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People start to run. Surprised cries ring out. And splaaaash! Soaked bodies! Me, I’m lucky: only my trousers washed by the cold ocean waves. Oh, wait! Another one! Awesome!

Torii? Yes, but battle-hardened!

This torii is battered by the elements but doesn’t flinch. On the contrary. To impress, it multiplies before our eyes.

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If you fail to be impressed, then sorry, my photos mustn’t be up to scratch.

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Kamiiso no Torii

Its real name is Kamiiso no Torii, the Gateway of the Sea God. There are two other torii at the Oarai shrine, but this one (established in 856 but rebuilt in 1690), is the most revered.

You’ve had enough of this torii? Bear with me. There’s a rock island I want to climb before we go.

On the Rocks

Look there, iPhonauts endangering the life of their electronic companions! Irresponsible! Hey, your selfies are silhouetted against the sun, and your specs have fallen off.

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In my ears, Mylène Farmer’s Un jour ou l’autre  (One Day or Another). In the background, the waves leaping and crashing. I know, some don’t care what happens to me, but the atmosphere adds to the magical spirit of things.

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Freed!

When I start to talk like that, better wake up. Get out of there. Ah, but before we go, here’s two pictures from my archives, taken a few months earlier.

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Oarai becalmed is really cool too, isn’t it?

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Oarai was too crowded to be able to quietly meditate. So on the way back, I stop at the …

Forest Shrine

And so ends the morning of this first day of 2018.

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If you can find this shrine, let me know! I’d love to hear about it. For now, I’ll keep it to myself (that said, you really have to be keen to go there).

I’ve been preparing a collection of torii photos for years, but in the meantime, go visit and discover Les Torii Insolites de Kyoto on the Suteki.fr website, it’s worth the trip! And if you want to know more about torii, there’s a brilliant illustrated piece by Joranne at: Les Portes du Japon (both in French).

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

Vermilion whispers, Floating over blue embrace— Spirit’s quiet dance.  朱色の囁き、 青の抱擁に浮かぶ— 静かな霊の舞。  #Itsukushima #Miyajima #Hiroshima #torii #floatinggate #offbeatjapan #japan
Golden skies embrace, Waves whisper secrets to cliffs— Twilight's gentle kiss. ---黄金の空 波が崖にささやく— 黄昏の優しいキス ---#sunsetmagic #coastaldreams #explorejp #serenebeauty #oceanglow #offbeatjapan #japan
White forms dance skyward, Green mountains cradle the art, Under cloud-kissed blue. 白い形空へ舞う、 緑の山が芸術を抱き、 雲にキスした青の下で。#sculptureart #japaneseart #naturemeetsart #modernsculpture #offbeatjapan #japan #travelphotography
Darkened stalls await, Whispers of daikagura, Colors in silence. 暗い屋台、 大神楽の囁き、 色の静寂。#offbeatjapan #japan #daikagura #festivalmood #moodytones #wanderlust #hiddenjapan #haiku
Stone pagoda stands, Cosmos in bloom, moon above— Tranquil whispers hum. ---石塔立つ コスモス咲き、月上に— 静寂の囁き ---#offbeatjapan #japan #explorejapan #hiddenjapan #naturephotography #pagoda #serenity #cosmosflowers
Electric rivers, Neon veins pulse through the night— Silent power flows. 電気の川 夜に脈打つネオン— 静かな力が流れる #industrialjapan #neonlights #japanbynight #technologymagic #urbanreflections #offbeatjapan #japan
Scarlet gates basking, Lanterns whisper in the night— Ancient spirits glow. 朱色の鳥居 夜に囁く灯籠 古の魂光る #offbeatjapan #japan #torii #nightmagic #kyoto #shinto #lanternlight #sacredpathway
Blue neon whispers, Winter's glow on sacred paths— Snow dreams softly fall. 青いネオン 聖なる道に舞う、 雪の夢。 #offbeatjapan #japan #neonatnight #winterinJapan #snowyscenes #japanphotos #urbanmagic