About
Standing along the coastline of Oarai Town in Ibaraki Prefecture, the “Kamiiso Torii” maintains its dignified presence even as it is washed by the rough waves of the Pacific Ocean. This torii gate stands quietly atop a rocky reef, as if marking the boundary between sea and sky, exuding a sacred atmosphere to those who visit.
Since ancient times, the Japanese have sensed the presence of deities within nature, finding the sacred especially in grand natural features such as rocks, mountains, and the sea. The “Kamiiso Torii” was also established as a symbol of such faith, as part of Oarai Isosaki Shrine, which enshrines the god of the sea. According to legend, when the gods descended to this land, the first place they set foot was this very rocky reef.
At sunrise, as the eastern sky gradually turns crimson, the silhouette of the torii emerges. The spray of the waves, illuminated by the morning sun, sends sparkling droplets dancing through the air, as if witnessing the very moment the gods descend. This scene deeply moves visitors, radiating a mystical beauty that naturally inspires them to join their hands in reverence.
On nights of the full moon, the moonlight dyes the surface of the sea silver, and the shadow of the torii is reflected on the water. In the silence, with only the sound of the waves echoing, one feels enveloped in a sense of having wandered into the mythological world that has continued since ancient times. Visitors to this place can truly feel, with their own skin, the original landscape of Japan where nature and the gods coexist.
The “Kamiiso Torii” is not merely a tourist attraction, but a place where the Japanese view of nature, faith, and sense of beauty are condensed. By visiting here, we can forget the bustle of daily life and awaken the reverent feelings that lie deep within our hearts.