Komamiya Shrine: The Halberd Cave 駒宮神社：御鉾の窟

Official explanation

In ancient Japan, rocks, trees, and other natural features were often worshiped as abodes of the divine, and the idea of enshrining deities in buildings was popularized only later. At Komamiya Shrine, the cliffs behind the main sanctuary are thought to have been the original object of worship. These cliffs were by the coast in prehistoric times and still show signs of wave erosion, although they are now partially obscured by soil. A few meters beneath this spot is a cave, carved into the rock by waves and wind, which is thought to have served for rituals. According to local lore, this cave was where Jimmu, the mythical first emperor of Japan, left his favorite halberd before embarking on his quest to unify the country. A metal reproduction of the legendary weapon now marks the place of the cave.

出典: 地域観光資源の多言語解説文データベース（観光庁） — www.mlit.go.jp/tagengo-db. この英語解説文は観光庁の地域観光資源の多言語解説整備支援事業で作成しました。
Source: Japan Tourism Agency, Multilingual Explanation Database. This English text was produced by the Japan Tourism Agency's multilingual explanation project and is shown unedited. Opening hours and services may have changed since it was written.