Why are those rocks tied together? Those are the Tits rocks of Futamigaura. They stand as a symbol of matchmaking and marital harmony.
We’re here at Futamigaura in Itoshima. It’s a beautiful spot in Fukuoka Prefecture. This area has been carefully protected as a sacred place of Sakurai-jinja Shrine since ancient times. The shrine enshrines male and female gods from Japanese mythology.
These rocks are not just any rocks. The Meoto Iwa rocks are known as wedded rocks. The larger rock is considered the husband. The smaller rock is the wife. They stand about 150 meters from the coast.
Notice the giant straw garland connecting them. That’s a shimenawa. It symbolizes their bond. Every year in May, during the spring tide, the shimenawa is replaced. It weighs about one ton and requires over 50 men to hang it.
Legend says the rocks represent a couple getting along well. This is why they are a symbol of marital harmony.
Look at the white torii gate. It stands in front of the shrine. The base is weathered by the tide. At low tide, you can walk to it. At high tide, part of it is underwater.
This place is also known as Sunset Futamigaura. The sunset here is extraordinary. Around the summer solstice, the sun sets right between the Tits rocks. The blue hour after sunset is also magical.
You can see why Futamigaura is on the Top 100 Beaches and Sunsets of Japan lists. It is a must-see. Remember the Tits rocks. They show the beauty of commitment. They show the power of nature.