Takachiho Mythological Heritage

A gorge in Nishi-Usuki, Miyazaki. Features 7 kilometers of striking canyon landscape with distinctive columnar jointing V-shaped valley. Boat tours are popular. Known as the birthplace of mythology, the setting of the Ama-no-Iwato legend. Approximately 500,000 visitors annually, offering experience of Japan's mythological and natural fusion.

Two sacred shrines in Takachiho, Miyazaki, deeply connected to Japanese mythology. They enshrine deities featured in the Ama-no-Iwato legend and maintain ancient pilgrimage records. Ama-no-Iwato Shrine particularly protects the sacred cave where Amaterasu, the sun goddess, allegedly hid. These sites represent the origins of Japan's indigenous religious beliefs and mythology.

The three symbolic regalia of the Japanese imperial house: a mirror (Yata no Kagami), sword (Kusanagi), and curved jewel (Yata no Kagami no Magatama). Symbolized in the Kojiki and Nihon Shoki, they are used in imperial succession ceremonies. Represented versions are enshrined at various shrines as objects of devotion, recognized as the highest sacred objects in Japanese religious culture.

774年～835年間活躍的僧侶，真言宗的開祖。於高野山創立金剛峯寺，是日本佛教史上最重要的人物之一。弘法大師信仰遍及日本全國，許多寺院與參詣道路皆與其相關聯。四國八十八寺巡禮被視為弘法大師的故鄉之旅。作為日本信仰文化的中心人物，在觀光地位中佔據重要地位。

日本固有的宗教信仰體系，以自然崇拜和祖先崇拜為基礎。全國約有80,000座神社，參拜、祈禱等信仰實踐深深根植於日常生活之中。在人生的重要時刻——正月參拜、七五三、婚禮——神道都扮演著關鍵角色。作為日本文化最根本的要素，神道傳統在觀光與文化保存中佔據重要地位。

日本古來的神話，記載於《古事記》與《日本書紀》。描繪伊邪那岐與伊邪那美的創國事蹟，以及天照大御神（太陽女神）等諸神的活動。成為神道信仰的基礎，全國各地眾多聖地皆與神話舞台相連結。高千穗、出雲、伊勢等與神話淵源深厚的地點成為重點觀光地。

位於紀伊半島深山地帶的熊野三山信仰傳統，由熊野本宮大社、熊野速玉大社、熊野那智大社所組成，自一千年前以上即受民眾尊崇。透過神佛習合的思想，神道與佛教融為一體，形成獨特的信仰體系。信眾經由熊野古道參拜，寄託對現世苦難的救贖願望，發展成具有深厚民間信仰基礎的精神傳統。2004年以「紀伊山地的靈場與參詣道」之名列入聯合國世界遺產，是日本最具代表性的聖地。