The large rock that juts out at Shichirimihama Beach is an object of worship representing Hana-no-Iwaya, the shrine where the story of the birth of the gods was said to take place. The rock itself contains the “spirit” of a deity.

The first male god of Japan was Izanagi and the first female god was Izanami. These two were married, and one of their children, the god of fire Kagu-tsuchi, was born here.

A sacred rope-changing festival called “Otsunakake Shinji” is held every year on February 2nd and October 2nd to honor Izanami, who died after the birth of Kagu-tsuchi. During this festival, a 170-meter rope adorned with flowers is pulled from the rock of the deities to Shichirimihama Beach. Anyone can attend the ritual, including those simply traveling through the area.

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