Kii Peninsula Trip | Meoto Iwa in Mie

On the third day of my Kii Peninsula trip, I only planned a morning itinerary around Ise-Shima in Mie Prefecture, as I had to travel later in the day. We set off from the hotel early in the morning and arrived at Meoto Iwa, a famous scenic spot in Mie Prefecture. Meoto Iwa are two large rocks (the Husband Rock and the Wife Rock) tied together by a large shimenawa rope. They are a symbol of married couples, lovers, and romantic relationships, and are well-known as a symbol of a happy marriage. The Husband Rock is 9m tall, the Wife Rock is 4m tall, and the large shimenawa rope is 35m long and weighs 45 kg. It is replaced three times a year. Meoto Iwa were originally considered the torii gate for the sun goddess Amaterasu in the distance and the sea god Sarutahiko Okami nearby, and are part of Futami Okitama Shrine. Locals told me that from May to July, you can see the sunrise between the Meoto Iwa rocks. From November to January, during a full moon, you can see the moon rise between the rocks. Unfortunately, it was January when we visited, so we just went whenever. In addition, there is a place called Meoto Iwa Yokocho, which has an introduction to the large shimenawa rope, as well as souvenir shops, restaurants, and more. 📍Address: 575 E, Futami-cho, Ise-shi, Mie-ken 🚃Transportation: Approx. 15 mins walk from Futaminoura Station on the JR Sangu Line