The stage for Japanese mythology: Amanoiwaya
There are 2 shrines standing on the other side of the Iwato River from east to west, with the East Shrine enshrining the goddess Amaterasu and the West Shrine dedicated to Amanoiwaya. As recorded in the ancient historical chronicles of the Kojiki and Nihon Shoki, Amaterasu-omikami grew angry at the recklessness of her younger brother, Susanoo-no-Mikoto, and she hid in the cave Amanoiwaya thus thrusting the worlds of the sky and Earth into darkness. Many plagues and disasters then happened which brought out numerous evil spirits. The gods which were troubled by the events conferred with each other before erecting an evergreen tree in front of Amanoiwato (the door to the cave), placing a comma-shaped bead and a mirror on the tree and then dancing merrily. Amaterasu, hearing the gods’ laughter, was able to be lured out of the cave by flinging out the door which brought back the light to the world. Amanoiwato was treated as sacred land which became the site for the West Shrine of Amanoiwato Shrine. A visit to the West Shrine requires registration at the conferment office since visitations are only allowed under the guidance of a Shinto priest. The cave for Amanoiwato is located across from the West Shrine halfway up the wall, and it can be viewed from the observation point located behind the hall of worship of the West Shrine. At the West Shrine, there is a statue of a god throwing the door, but at the East Shrine, there is an amusing statue of a dancing god and holy water coming out from the roots of a cedar tree.
Amano Yasukawara, a power spot where the gods gathered
About 10 minutes’ walk away from the West Shrine, there is a cave known as Amano Yasukawara where the gods conferred. In the past, there was only a shrine that was worshiped but praying with a stack of stones started the tradition of piling many of these stacks to answer prayers so that the presence of these countless stacks has lent a mysterious atmosphere to the area. Make your way here to feel that magical atmosphere.