Mie｜Futamigaura Meotowa Rock and the Legend of Sarutahiko

Meotoiwa in Futamiura are actually two large rocks on the seashore. The 9-meter-high Meotoiwa and the 4-meter-high Tsumawawa are connected by a 30-meter-long shimenawa rope in the middle, symbolizing everlasting love. This is also a traditional purification site. In the past, people who visited the Ise Shrine had to purify themselves here before going on. There is a small torii on the rock, which complements the torii of the Okitama Shrine, expressing a feeling of worship from afar. There are many frog sculptures near Okitama Shrine, which are called "Urban Frogs" by the locals. It is said that they are followers of the great god Sarutahiko. Because the Japanese word for frog, "カエル", has the same pronunciation as "返帰る", many people pray to find lost items and return home safely. Speaking of Sarutahiko Okami, friends who like Japan should be familiar with him. In the belief of eight million gods in Japan, Sarutahiko was responsible for leading the way when Amaterasu Omikami sent descendants to the world. This legend has been passed down to this day and has become the god of traffic safety and navigation. It is said that even the Metropolitan Police Department of Japan worships him. 📍Address: 〒519-0602 Mie Prefecture Ise City Futami-cho 575 #JanuaryGoodPlaces2025