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Big Ben in Japan (Benjamin Moore) / CC BY-SA 2.0
Amanoiwato Shrine
天岩戸神社（西本宮）Miyazaki · Kyushu
A shrine complex dedicated to the sun goddess Amaterasu, built facing the sacred cave (Ama-no-Iwato) where mythology says she hid after a conflict with her brother Susanoo, plunging the world into darkness. The main Nishihongu (west shrine) sits across the Iwato River from the cave itself; free staff-led viewings of the cave overlook run roughly every 30 minutes.
- Best season
- Year-round
- Crowd level
- Popular
- Rating
- 4.6· 5,845 reviews
- Opening hours
- Daily Open 24 hours
- Admission
- Free precinct; the guided cave (Amano-Iwato) viewing is also free — donations only, per official site amanoiwato-jinja.jp.
- Nearest station
- No train to Takachiho — nearest JR station is Nobeoka; bus from Nobeoka Station to Takachiho Bus Center (~70-90 min)
- Website
- amanoiwato-jinja.jp
Usual hours — confirm with the official site for holidays + seasonal closures.
Today
Open 24 hoursFreeStored weekly hours
Daily Open 24 hours
Tags
shrinefolklorehistory
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