Visit Shirahama Shrine, the oldest sacred site in Izu

#1月好去地方2025 Located at the southern tip of the Izu Peninsula in Shizuoka Prefecture, Shirahama Shrine is the oldest shrine in the Izu area, with a history of more than 2,400 years. This shrine facing the Pacific Ocean is not only a local faith center, but also attracts countless travelers to make pilgrimages with its magnificent coastal scenery and quiet atmosphere. During this trip to Izu, I specially arranged a trip to Shirahama Shrine to experience this historic sacred place firsthand and immerse myself in the mysterious charm intertwined by the shrine and nature. ⛩️ The vermilion torii on the coast - a sacred gate connected to the Pacific Ocean The first sight when arriving at Shirahama Shrine was the vermilion torii standing on the beach. This torii faces the azure Pacific Ocean and connects with the skyline, creating a magnificent picture. Different from the Thousand Torii Gates at Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine in Kyoto, the Torii Gates here have a more open and free atmosphere, as if standing here, you can feel the sacred breath between heaven and earth. In front of the Torii is Shirahama Beach, which is one of the most famous beaches on the Izu Peninsula. In summer, it is always crowded with tourists who come to play in the water. In this relatively quiet season, the waves gently hit the shore, bringing waves of sound, making people feel the peace of mind instantly. 🌿 Walk through the ancient tree approach and step into the historical realm After walking through the torii gate on the seaside, climb up the stone steps and you will enter the main approach to the shrine. The approach to the shrine is lined with towering old trees, the most famous of which is the shrine's sacred tree - a thousand-year-old camphor tree. This giant tree, which is over 2,000 years old, has a twisted trunk and majestic appearance. It is regarded as a symbol of the gods and carries the long history and beliefs of Shirahama Shrine. It is said that if you gently place your hands on the tree trunk, you can feel the energy from the earth, which will purify and bless your body and mind. Many tourists will close their eyes here, pray quietly, and feel the spiritual energy brought by the thousand-year-old tree. 🏯 The main hall of the shrine - the intersection of history and faith Walk through the main approach to the shrine and arrive at the main hall of the shrine. This thousand-year-old building is built in a typical Japanese shrine style. The vermilion building contrasts with the verdant woods, full of ancient and solemn atmosphere. Shirahama Shrine mainly enshrines Mishima Okami, the guardian deity of the seven Izu islands, and Konohanasakiyahime-no-Mikoto, the "goddess of beauty" who is prayed for love luck. It is said that couples or singles who come here to worship can receive blessings of love, so it is also regarded as a local holy place of love energy. When I visited the shrine, I followed the traditional Japanese etiquette: first throwing money, then bowing twice, clapping twice, and finally bowing deeply again, and silently making a wish in my heart. At this moment, I felt my soul surrounded by the sacred atmosphere of this thousand-year-old shrine, and my heart became exceptionally peaceful. 🌊 Rock Sea Erosion Cave "Ebisu Cave" - ​​A mysterious natural wonder After leaving the main hall, continue along the path inside the shrine, and soon you will come to a hidden secret place - Ebisu Cave. This is a natural sea cave located on the coast. It is said to be the place where gods once descended and has a powerful spiritual energy. Standing on the rock, you can see the boundless Pacific Ocean in front of you, the sea breeze blows gently, and the waves hit the rocky shore, making a low echo. Here, you can not only feel the shock from nature, but also experience the sacredness of Shirahama Shrine being closely connected to the ocean. 💞Recommendation reason: A dialogue between the soul and nature Shirahama Shrine is not only the oldest shrine in Izu, but also a sacred place that combines history, faith and nature. From the vermilion torii gate on the coast, the thousand-year-old shrine, to the solemn main hall and the mysterious Ebisu Cave, every place makes people feel the tranquility and emotion of communicating with heaven and earth. If you like peaceful shrines, ancient trees full of spiritual energy, and magnificent coastal views, Shirahama Shrine is definitely a must-visit place on your trip to Izu! #Japan