Discover the fascinating story behind the creation of Japan, as told by Japanese mythology. The story of the creation of Japan revolves around the mythical gods Izanami and Izanagi, who stood on the heavenly bridge Ama-no-hashidate in the northern part of Kyoto, connecting heaven to earth. Using a jewel-encrusted spear, they stirred the ocean, and as they withdrew the spear, salt crystallized into drops, falling back into the ocean and forming the islands of Japan.
Izanami and Izanagi Creating the Japanese Islands source: MFA Boston
The first island created was Onogoro-shima, currently Awaji-shima, where Izanami and Izanagi built a house and conducted their wedding ceremony. However, a sacred marriage ritual went awry when Izanami, the female deity, spoke first, resulting in the birth of an ugly, boneless child named Hiruko (later known as Ebisu). Abandoned and set adrift in a basket at sea, Hiruko became the patron deity of fishermen and one of the seven gods of good luck. The poor baby deity was later enshrined at the Nishinomiya shrine, where people come to pray for prosperity.
People praying for a good harvest and making offerings to Ebisu, sitting in the alcove on the right.
source: National Diet Library Digital Collections
Not being happy with their offspring, Izanami and Izanagi sought guidance from the seven invisible gods, who revealed that their misfortune stemmed from the incorrect performance of the marriage ritual. The couple repeated the ceremony, ensuring that Izanagi, the male deity, spoke first.
Subsequently, they created more auspicious offspring, including the eight principal islands of Japan: following Awaji, Shikoku, Oki, Tsukushi (Kyushu), Iki, Tsu, Sado, and Oyamato. The corrected ritual paved the way for the birth of the islands and established the foundation of Japanese mythology.
Explore Enchanting Locations in Legends
Izanagi Jingu Shrine, the oldest shrine in Japan
<Location> Awaji-shima island
How to get there from Osaka/Kyoto
Take either JR/Hankyu/Hanshin railway to Sannomiya station
Take a coach at the Shinki bus Kobe-Sannnomiya Bus Terminal
Get off at "Izanami Jingu mae" bus stop (about 70 min drive) This bus departs every hour at 35 from 9:00 to 16:00 (as of January 2024)
You may like this spot in Awaji-shima.
Zenbo Seinei, a Zen retreat. Meditation and yoga to help balance the body and mind.
The Nishinomiya Shrine, Guardian for the Fishery
<Location> Nishinomiya city
How to get there from Osaka/Kyoto
Take JR from Kyoto (1 hour) or Hanshin from Osaka (30 min) to Nishinomiya station.
20 min from JR Nishinomiya St., 4 min walk from Hanshin Nishinomiya St.
*The Nishinomiya Shrine hosts a flea market every 10th day of the month.
You may like this spot in Nishinomiya.
Hakushika Memorial Museum of Sake, Japan's renowned Sake brewery Unveil the history of Sake here. Kids will find the old industry interesting. The facility implements universal access.