The Itoshima coast offers some superb sunset views which attract a great number of visitors, particularly the 33.3-km stretch known as Sunset Road, which runs from Benten Bridge at the mouth of the Izumi River all the way to Sakurai Futamigaura.
There is another Futamigaura in Ise City, Mie Prefecture, known as the “Futamigaura of the morning sun” for its beautiful sunrise views. Itoshima’s Futamigaura, on the other hand, is known as the “Futamigaura of the evening sun” thanks to its beautiful views of the setting sun over the Genkai Sea.
Beyond the white torii gate, you will see two massive rocks which are known as the “Married Couple Rocks” because of the way they stand side by side like a married couple.
The rocks, which are connected by a sacred rope known as a shimenawa about 150 meters off the coast, belong to nearby Sakurai Shrine (designated as a National Important Cultural Property), and have been revered since ancient times.
The massive shimenawa rope connecting the two rocks is 30 m long, 50 cm in diameter, and weighs about 1 ton. Once each year sometime between late April and early May, a ceremony is held at high tide in which the rope is remade and replaced by a majestic team of shrine parishioners dressed in traditional happi coats.
The two sacred Married Couple Rocks are believed to contain the spirits of Izanagi no Mikoto, a male deity, on the right, and Izanami no Mikoto, a female deity, on the left.
Futamigaura is located on a straight line which runs from the sacred Iwato Cave, the foundation of Sakurai Shrine, and the two are said to bear a very deep relationship since ancient times.
On the day of the summer solstice (the day with the longest daylight hours in Japan), the morning sun rises from the center of Ise Shrine’s Futamigaura, and the sun sets in the center of Sakurai Shrine’s Futamigaura.
The deity of Ise Shrine is the sun goddess Amaterasu Omikami, known as the most important deity in all of Japan.
The fact that Ise and Itoshima are connected in this way on the summer solstice when the power of the sun is at its strongest is of truly immeasurable significance.
While the sunset between the rocks on the summer solstice is indeed a mystical sight, the fantastic dark blue hue of the sky before sunrise and after sunset, often known as the “blue hour”, is quite breathtaking as well.
This perfect photo spot is even widely known and visited among photographers.
The massive pure white torii gate which stands to the backdrop of the deep blue sea is also a popular photo spot where many visitors come to take pictures to share on social media.
The area surrounding Futamigaura is also lined with trendy cafes and restaurants and is a popular sightseeing destination all year round.
The scenic Sakurai Futamigaura is one of the area’s must-see sightseeing destinations and has been named both one of the 100 best beaches as well as one of the 100 best sunsets in Japan. So grab your camera, and come make some one-of-a-kind memories of your very own!

Location: Shima Sakurai, Itoshima City, Fukuoka Prefecture, 819-1304
Tel: 092-322-2098 (Itoshima City Tourist Association)

Sakurai Shrine https://sakuraijinja.com/futamigaura/

Cover photograph provided by 福岡県観光連盟