Ryugu Shrine

A Shinto shrine located a 15-minute drive from Nishi-Oyama Station on the Ibusuki Makurazaki Line. The shrine is located on Cape Nagasakibana, the birthplace of the legend of the Palace of the Dragon King; the shrine is dedicated to Toyotama-hime (Oto-hime). The shrine is visited by many worshippers who seek its purported blessings, which include luck in finding love, peace and prosperity in the home, thriving business, and maritime safety. The main shrine building is modeled after the Palace of the Dragon King, and its red lacquered exterior is set off by the blue of the sky, engendering a tropical atmosphere befitting southern Japan. The shrine is famous for its unique “seashell prayer” method, which involves worshippers choosing a seashell and writing their wish on it before placing it in a large jar.