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You’ve heard of Hakata, Tenjin, Dazaifu, and perhaps even Yanagawa – however one other of Fukuoka’s hidden gems is the Itoshima peninsula. This two-part Itoshima collection will cowl each its Sakurai Futamigaura Couple Stones and its Genkai-Quasi Nationwide Park.
Specifically, this text will go over the historical past and story of the Sakurai Futamigaura Couple Stones, and its accompanying Sakurai Shrine.
Sakurai Futamigaura Meoto Iwa
Standing about 150 meters from the seashore, two big rocks joined by a shimenawa rope—straw rope used at many Shinto shrines indicating a divide between the sacred and the secular—earn the gasps and coos of admiration by guests on sandy seashores. When the tide is excessive, the 2 rocks appear to nearly be floating on the floor of the ocean, unmoving, with solely the thick rope swaying between them. Framing these rocks is an impressive, all-white torii gate, and standing proper in entrance of it gives you with a picturesque view of clear waves crashing towards the rocks and gate, whereas they stand unperturbed.
Introduced as one of many 100 most lovely sundown views and one of many 100 finest seashores in Japan, many go to this spot for the out-of-this-world expertise of watching the solar set between the Futamigaura Couple Stones. Nonetheless, this spot is greater than only a feast for the eyes. The rocks are a logo of completely happy marriage. The 2 rocks are stated to signify deities from Japanese mythology, Izanagi and Izanami, with the shimenawa symbolizing the union and connection between these two Gods. Each the view and the historical past and that means hooked up to this spot are romantic, making it an often-visited spot by {couples} and households.
Sakurai Shrine
The Sakurai Futamigaura Meoto Iwa is taken into account part of the Sakurai Shrine, situated solely a 5-minute drive away from one another.
The sprawling shrine grounds are house to a lot of lovely shrines and buildings courting again to lots of of years in the past. Surrounded by nature on all sides, guests are certain marvel not solely on the well-maintained, mystical buildings of worship, but in addition how they exist in good concord with the quite a few tall cedar bushes which might be interspersed all through the grounds.
Specifically, the enormous cedar forest that results in a nondescript space of the shrine, that homes the Sakurai Daijingu Shrine—a portion of the grounds separate from the principle shrine that homes parts of two deities, Amaterasu Omikami and Toyouke Omikami—is especially spectacular. With paths lined by big cedar bushes paying homage to these discovered within the Previous Tokaido Street, probably the most spectacular of bushes inside this small forest is alleged to have be over 100 years previous, with its trunk round 4 occasions the circumference of a traditional cedar bushes, with massive roots the peak of a daily grownup.
Conclusion
Solely an hour and a half away from Fukuoka’s metropolis middle, Itoshima is a must-visit hidden gem in Fukuoka prefecture. House to extra than simply Sakurai Shrine and its accompanying Sakura Futamigaura Meoto Iwa, the North-Japanese a part of the island is host to different iconic photograph spots and distinctive experiences, and is certain to replenish a half-day itinerary with ease.
Touring round Itoshima by automobile can be probably the most environment friendly approach to soak up all of the island has to supply, however getting round by renting a bicycle or just taking the bus can also be potential. Embody Itoshima in your plan the following time you’re in Fukuoka!
Getting there
I like to recommend driving about half-hour from Fukuoka’s metropolis middle to Itoshima.
Alternatively, you possibly can take the Airport Line from JR Hakata Station to Chikuzen-Maebaru Station, adopted by a neighborhood bus to the world. Taking public transportation will take you about an hour and a half to 2 hours, relying in your vacation spot on Itoshima island, however be warned that buses to and from Itoshima, in addition to inside Itoshima, don’t run commonly.
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