What to know
Motoise Kono Shrine (元伊勢籠神社, Motoise Kono Jinja) is located near the northern tip of the Amanohashidate sandbar. Historically the most important shrine in the Tango region of northern Kyoto Prefecture, it once housed Shinto's most revered deity, the Sun Goddess (Amaterasu), along with Toyoukehime, a local deity of clothing, food, and shelter. Both were later enshrined as the main deities of the Inner and Outer Ise Shrines, respectively. Hence, Kono Shrine is also known as Motoise, meaning "Origin of Ise."
The shrine's main hall closely resembles that of the Inner Shrine at Ise, featuring ten katsuogi roof logs and jewel-shaped decorations (suedama) on its railings—details found only at Motoise Kono Shrine and Ise Jingu. Nearby, several smaller shrines in various architectural styles honor deities such as Amaterasu, Sarutahiko, Ebisu, Inari, and the Kasuga gods.
Motoise Kono Shrine is just a short walk from the northern end of the Amanohashidate sandbar.
How to get to and around Amanohashidate
Visitor information
Practical details to check before planning this stop.
- Hours
- 7:30 to 17:00 (until 16:30 in December and January)
- Closed
- No closing days
- Admission
- Free
- English name
- Original name
- Motoise Kono Shrine
Verify details before visiting. Currency conversion is indicative and may vary over time.