Amano Yasukawara Cave — Mythological Gathering Site

Amano Yasukawara (天安河原) is a large riverside cave along the Iwato River, believed to be the site where 8 million kami (gods) gathered to strategize how to lure Amaterasu (sun goddess) from her cave-hiding. The cave interior contains a small shrine surrounded by thousands of stacked stone cairns — visitors pile stones in prayer, creating an otherworldly stone forest within the cave.

The cave is reached by a 10-minute walk along a forest path following the river, creating an atmospheric approach.