Mihonoseki

Mihonoseki is a traditional fishing town on the eastern tip of the Shimane Peninsula in western Japan.
It is surrounded on three sides by water and is viewed as a place full of spiritual energy of Japan. Since ancient times, the townspeople have revered their gods, coexisted with the sea and its blessings. Mihonoseki is often called the “sacred cape.”
The town’s Miho-jinja shrine is dedicated to Kotoshironushi, better known as Ebisu. He’s one of the seven deities of happiness, and also the protector of fishermen and merchants.

The oldest official records of Japan’s history tells how Ebisu relinquished his father’s land to the heavenly gods, letting them rule the country. The shrine re-enacts this key episode in a boat race every December.
Miho-jinja shrine is also the head shrine of some 3000 sites across Japan worshipping Ebisu. Many other rituals take place throughout the year.
Mihonoseki’s harbor once flourished as the port of call for ships carrying various goods along the Sea of Japan coast.
Mihonoseki is also famous for its charming Aoishi-datami Street, or blue cobblestone alley, which is paved with stones from the sea.