Amanoiwato Shrine, Shinto shrine in Takachiho, Japan

Amanoiwato-jinja is a religious site along the Iwato River in Miyazaki Prefecture, with structures spread across both riverbanks. A cave in the immediate vicinity forms the spiritual heart of the entire complex.

The complex arose to preserve the mythological cave where the sun goddess was said to have retreated. Over the centuries, the site developed into a major destination for pilgrims in the Kyushu region.

The name refers to the rock cave where the sun goddess hid herself according to legend, plunging the world into darkness. Visitors still place stones at certain spots along the riverbank today to express wishes or show respect.

From Takachiho Bus Center, take the town's Fureai bus (Iwato or Higa line) about 15 minutes to Iwato stop for the west shrine. The east shrine is a 5-minute walk through the shopping street opposite. The path to Amano-Yasukawara starts at the west shrine's back gate and takes about 15 minutes; vehicles cannot enter the approach.

On 18 December 2020, a shimenawa rope was stretched toward the sacred cave for the first time since the shrine was founded. The rope hangs from a wooden frame of two upright posts and a crossbeam, with three fringed paper streamers beneath it. A granite pillar beside it carries a vertical column of Japanese characters.