Udo Jingu Shrine
鵜戸神宮
A vermilion main shrine built inside a sea cave beneath a cliff. Throwing 'lucky jewels' at the turtle rock while making a wish is the signature experience.
Udo Jingu stands on Udo Cape in Nichinan City and enshrines Ugayafukiaezu, the father of Emperor Jimmu. According to legend, Toyotamahime gave birth in this cave. The vermilion main hall sits inside a natural sea cave beneath the cliff. You must go down a stone staircase along the approach to reach it, and the setting is unique. Offshore stands a turtle-shaped rock called 'Reishi-kame' (Sacred Turtle Rock), with a rope ring on its back enclosing a hollow. Buy five unglazed clay 'lucky jewels' (undama). Men throw with the left hand and women with the right. If the jewel lands in the hollow, your wish will come true. Inside the cave, the 'Mother's Milk Rock' (Ogachi-iwa) and the 'Mother's Milk Candy' (Ogachi-ame) are associated with safe childbirth and child-rearing. Entry is free. The bus from Miyazaki Station takes about 1 hour 20 minutes.
Opening hours
Approx. 06:00–18:00 (seasonal adjustments)
Nearby sights
- Sun Messe Nichinan
- Obi Castle Town
- Horikiri Pass & Michi-no-Eki Phoenix
- Aoshima Island & Aoshima Shrine
- Devil's Washboard
- Kisakihama Beach
- Koshima Island
- Miyazaki Jingu