A vermilion shrine said to guard the night of Japan, set against lush hills — a sacred site renowned for its sunsets.
Hinomisaki Shrine is a venerable Shinto sanctuary situated at Cape Hinomisaki in Taisha-cho, Izumo City, Shimane Prefecture. It consists of two separate shrines: the upper Kami-no-miya ('Shrine of the Gods') and the lower Hisumi-no-miya ('Shrine of the Setting Sun'), whose striking vermilion halls stand out beautifully against a backdrop of forested hills.
The Hisumi-no-miya enshrines Amaterasu, the goddess of the sun, and has long been revered as 'the shrine that guards the night of Japan.' The current shrine buildings were constructed in 1664 by order of the Tokugawa shogunate and are designated Important Cultural Properties of Japan. The upper shrine is dedicated to Susanoo, and together the two halls form one of the most sacred sites in the Izumo region.
Located about 15 minutes by car from Izumo Taisha Grand Shrine and adjacent to Hinomisaki Lighthouse, the site is often visited alongside the dramatic sea cliffs of the Sea of Japan. At dusk, the precincts are bathed in a warm amber light, offering a vivid experience of what is known as 'Izumo, the Sacred Land of the Setting Sun.'