The cliff of the sea and the shrine in the cave of the rock! The only "money laundering" blessing in the day is in Miyazaki

▲ The entrance to Qingdao Shrine features a unique “money washing area” where visitors can pray for wealth, promotion, and other wishes.

▲Japan's Aoshima Shrine.

Reported and photographed by Peng Huaiyu, reporter in Miyazaki, Japan

Mountains need not be high to be famous if there is a deity; waters need not be deep to be spiritual if there is a dragon. Southern Kyushu's Miyazaki has beautiful mountains and waters, blessed even further by divine presence.The two most famous shrines are located by the sea and are sacred sites that travelers go to great lengths to visit.Located at the edge of the seaside, the Qingdao Shrine, and within a sea erosion cave, the Udo Shrine. Ancient myths say that Udo Shrine is the origin of all shrines, adding to its solemn and mysterious aura.

▲The "Demon’s Washboard" at Qingdao Shrine.

1. Qingdao Shrine
Qingdao Shrine is located on Rikujima Island, southeast of Miyazaki City. In ancient times, the entire island was considered sacred, and before the Edo period, the general public was not allowed to enter.On the way to the shrine, you’ll cross a sea bridge. Noteworthy is the “Devil’s Washboard,” a rock formation rising from the sea and eroded by waves over the years into an uneven, spectacular terrain stretching 8 kilometers.

▲Mountains, sea, the "Devil's Washboard," and a red torii gate.

After walking about 5–10 minutes, you will arrive at Qingdao Shrine. At the entrance, in addition to the hand-washing area, the local guide said there is also a “money-washing area.” I didn’t understand at first, but it turns out it’s another way of praying for blessings.First, put coins (Japanese yen or Taiwanese dollars) into the basket, then into the water, while brushing the coins with a bamboo brush and thinking about money-related wishes, such as a raise or promotion. The guide said this is a unique blessing method only found at Aoshima Shrine.In addition, there are activities such as throwing tiles or shells, which are said to ward off bad luck.

▲ The entrance of Qingdao Shrine features a unique “money washing area.”

▲%Jidian La Zha? Niu can qu. Ta de cao? Zai sha.

Getting back to the topic, Qingdao Shrine is related to the story of the gods from Japan’s mythological text Kojiki—Yamato Takeru no Mikoto and his wife Toyotama-hime—so it’s also considered a good place to pray for romantic relationships.There is a yellow mailbox at the entrance symbolizing “happiness.”It’s worth noting that, as there’s little shelter near the sea, the wind is strong, so visitors should wear hats and dress warmly.

▲There is a yellow mailbox at the entrance symbolizing "happiness."

Qingdao Shrine
Location: 13-1, 2-chome, Aoshima, Miyazaki City, Miyazaki Prefecture

▲Aoshima Shrine is a shrine dedicated to the deity of love and matchmaking.

2. Udo Shrine
After seeing the shrine built next to the washboard, Udo Shrine is a shrine hidden in a sea erosion cave. With the sea on one side and a mountain cliff cave on the other, it is a shrine dedicated to safe childbirth, improving relationships, and child-rearing.

▲Udo Shrine is hidden inside a sea erosion cave, with the sea on one side and a mountain cave wall on the other.

This shrine is also closely related to the legend of Yamayuki no Mikoto and his wife Toyotama-hime. It is said that after Yamayuki no Mikoto returned from Qingdao to the mainland, Toyotama-hime was about to give birth and built a delivery room in the Udo Cave. As the daughter of the sea god, she wasn’t human and told Yamayuki no Mikoto repeatedly not to peek during her delivery—but he couldn’t resist and took a look. Angry, Toyotama-hime decided to return to the sea, leaving her breasts behind. There is a stalactite in the shape of a breast, which is said to be hers.The child she gave birth to became Japan’s first emperor, which is why Udo Shrine is also called the origin of shrines.

▲Udo Shrine Main Hall.

After visiting the shrine, remember to buy a small “lucky talisman stone” engraved with the word “fortune” from the counter. While making a wish, throw it into the rock recesses that resemble a turtle’s back. Men should use their left hand, women their right. If it lands in the marked area, your wish might come true.

▲%The skillfully caught today? The opened shellfish's "root dish", one bite, one sigh, as if tasting the authentic ancient flavor of the hometown.

The guide mentioned that every year on December 31st crossing into January 1st, the queue to worship can be up to three hours long—it’s considered a highly efficacious shrine.

Udo Shrine
Location: 3232 Oaza Miyagawa, Nichinan City, Miyazaki Prefecture