Located at the foot of Kasamatsu Park, Motoise Kono Shrine is a famous spiritual power spot in the Tango region. According to legend, Amaterasu Omikami and Toyouke no Okami of Ise Jingu were enshrined here for several years before being moved to their current location in Mie Prefecture, hence the name “Motoise.” As a result, the shrine holds an exceptionally prestigious place in Japanese history.
Compared with the lively southern end of Amanohashidate, there are very few tourists here, and most visitors are devout local residents coming to worship. The quiet approach and unpainted wooden shrine buildings are filled with a breathtaking sense of silence and solemnity. If you plan to take a bus to the Ine boathouses, the bus stop is within walking distance of the shrine, making this an ideal side trip to slow down and cleanse your spirit before heading to Kyoto by the Sea.
