Udo-Jingu Shrine

Japanese Shrine

Udo-Jingu Shrine (鵜戸神宮)
Tucked away in a less noticeable way there is a very interesting and unique Shrine that is different from all other Shrines and you might be totally oblivious to it, once you go through the gate entrance and walk along the beautiful path overlooking the Pacific, you will notice a flight of stairs that seem to go down to the beach area but as you reach the near bottom and you turn to your left, you will see a very strange sight, you will see a cave and as you enter the cave there is a Shrine.
The beautiful painted red temple was dedicated to the God Ugayafukiaezu, who was groomed and grew up to father Japan’s first ruler, Emperor Jimmu.
Now these are all legends and there is no way to verify them historically, but the romanticized stories are still intriguing nonetheless.
One of the famous story legends is that that the rocks inside the cave are breast-shaped and these rocks are to have nourished the young infant Jimmu as he suckled them

It is said that drinking the water that drips from these rock tips is thought to aid in pregnancy, childbirth, nursing, and or women hoping to become pregnant. The shrine is also thought to bring wellness, good luck, and fortune to couples and newlyweds. New Year is when the Shrine is at its busiest and if you decide to go during the first week of January, be forewarned as the lines are long and parking and wait times as well.

When you look over the railings below the rocks next to the Shrine there is a target marked by rope into where people can throw a small ceramic stone or "undama," in Japanese which are available at the shrine for a small fee. (100yen for 5 pieces) The idea is to throw these stones into the center circle: men throw with their left hand and women throw it with their right hand, the more you get into the circle, the greater the luck.

The Shrine is definitely a wonderful and unique place to visit, if you're traveling to the Kyushu, Miyazaki area, visiting this Shrine is a recommended must.

For more info: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Udo-jingū
https://www.trip.com/travel-guide/att...