What to know
Udo Shrine (鵜戸神宮, Udo Jingū) sits on the Nichinan Coast south of Miyazaki City and honors Yamasachihiko, the father of Emperor Jimmu, Japan's legendary first emperor. This vividly colored shrine is tucked inside a cave on a seaside cliff, offering breathtaking ocean views.
Several legends link Emperor Jimmu to this cave, though it's uncertain whether he was born there or brought there as an infant. What the stories share are the breast-shaped rocks on the cave wall, said to have nourished him.
Drinking water that drips from these rocks is believed to aid pregnancy, childbirth, and nursing, and is especially popular among women hoping to conceive. The shrine is also considered auspicious for couples and newlyweds.
Outside the cave, a terrace overlooks the ocean. Below, a rope-marked target invites visitors to toss small ceramic undama (lucky balls), sold at the shrine for a small fee. Women throw with their right hand, men with their left; landing a ball in the target brings good luck.
Udo Shrine lies about 40 kilometers south of Miyazaki City, best reached by rental car. Alternatively, a bus from Miyazaki Station takes 90 minutes and costs 1,570 yen one way, stopping at Aoshima along the way. Get off at the Udo Jingu bus stop, then walk ten minutes to the shrine entrance.
Visitor information
Practical details to check before planning this stop.
- Hours
- 6:00 to 18:00
- Closed
- No closing dates
- Admission
- Free
- English name
- Original name
- Udo Shrine
Verify details before visiting. Currency conversion is indicative and may vary over time.