Meoto Iwa

Meoto Iwa (夫婦岩, also known as the Wedded Rocks) are two sacred rocks off the coast of Futami in Ise. The larger rock represents the husband and the smaller the wife, tied together by a thick rope called shimenawa, symbolizing the link between the spiritual and human worlds. This rope is ceremonially replaced three times a year. The best time to view the rocks is at high tide when they appear separated by the sea. On rare, clear summer mornings, you might even see the sun rise perfectly between the rocks—with Mount Fuji in the distance.

Nearby, the Futami-Okitama Shrine honors several Shinto deities and is surrounded by frog statues, believed to bring people or things back, as the word kaeru means both “frog” and “return” in Japanese. You can buy charms and omikuji here. Following the path east leads to the Ryugu Shrine and ends at Futami Plaza, a spot with shops, restaurants, and a small aquarium. Just across from the rocks is Hinjitsukan, a former guesthouse turned museum.