Udo Shrine's Cliff Sanctuary

Udo Shrine in Nichinan City is a rare shrine with its main sanctuary built inside a cave on a cliff facing the Pacific Ocean. It features the distinctive 'Kudari-Miya' (descending shrine) style where you descend stone steps to worship. The contrast between the vermilion-colored sanctuary and the blue sea is breathtakingly beautiful. The 'luck ball toss,' where visitors throw unglazed clay balls into a hole in a rock called the Turtle Stone, is extremely popular. Men throw with their left hand and women with their right hand. It is said to bestow blessings for safe childbirth and good marriage connections, making it a power spot visited by many pilgrims.