Miyazaki Prefecture Udo Shrine

Udo Shrine - A Sacred Place of Prayer Embracing the Sea

Udo Shrine, nestled within a cave in a cliff facing the rough waves of the Hyuga-Nada Sea in Nichinan City, Miyazaki Prefecture.
Since ancient times, this place has been cherished as a place where people pray for the "beginning of new life" and feel the power of Mother Earth and the sea.

A Shrine in a Cave

Udo Shrine's most distinctive feature is its main shrine, located within a cave overlooking the sea.
The natural cave itself is considered a place where gods reside, and the sight of the vermilion shrine building, standing out against the blue sea and rock face, is breathtakingly mystical.

Step inside the cave, and the sound of the waves resonates like the rhythm of prayer, enveloping you in a tranquil setting, cut off from the outside world. There, you'll feel a sense of security, almost like returning to the womb.

God of Matchmaking and Safe Childbirth

The main deity is Ugayafukiaezu-no-Mikoto.
Born to Toyotamahime, the daughter of the sea god, Udo Shrine is deeply connected to the birth of life.
As a result, Udo Shrine has long been known for its divine blessings of safe childbirth, child-rearing, and matchmaking, attracting many women and families.

Praying for Lucky Balls

The shrine's signature "Undama" (lucky ball throwing) ritual involves worshippers making a wish and throwing a terracotta ball. If the ball lands in the depression in a turtle rock jutting out into the sea, it is said to come true.
The moment you throw it, accompanied by the sea breeze, is like releasing your wish into the sea and sky, and it also lifts your spirits.

A sacred place watched over by the sea and the sun

Udo Shrine is a place where the sun rising from the eastern sea and the energy of the endless ocean intersect.
Nature itself is a temple, purifying the hearts of those who visit and giving them the strength to face the future.

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🌊 For me, Udo Shrine was a place that bestowed the power of rebirth.
Don't just visit as a tourist; if you gently offer up your inner prayers, you will surely be met with divine energy that will answer.