Ondake Shrine

In Ashibe on Iki Island in Nagasaki Prefecture, Ondake Shrine is known as one of the leading power spots of Iki. Until the Meiji era the entire mountain was regarded as the body of the deity, and ordinary people were restricted from entering this sacred place. In mythology it is said to be where the first god descended when Iki Island was born.

The enshrined deity, Sarutahiko no Mikoto, is the guiding god. He is revered as a deity who leads matters in a good direction, from prosperity in business and success in study to advancement, fortune, and matchmaking.

Highlights

• More than two hundred stone monkeys offered by worshippers whose wishes came true
• A magnetic force at the sacred rock behind the worship hall that disturbs a compass needle
• A storied shrine dedicated to Sarutahiko, the guiding god
• A sacred atmosphere where the whole mountain was once seen as the body of the deity

Enjoying the Seasons

In spring fresh greenery wraps the stone monkeys, and in summer deep green casts cool shadows. Autumn colors the trees of the precinct, and in winter you can worship quietly in clear air. In every season you can feel the mysterious atmosphere unique to this island of myth.

Access and Basic Information

• Location: Hakozaki Honmurafure, Ashibe, Iki City, Nagasaki Prefecture
• Access: About fifteen minutes by car from Ashibe Port
• Parking: Available, with a restroom at the lower lot
• Free to visit, no admission fee
• Visiting together with the neighboring Medake Shrine is also recommended

Practical Travel Notes

• Best season and time: Spring and autumn, when the trees take on color, are beautiful, and the bright hours of the day are best for looking at the faces of the stone monkeys
• Avoiding crowds: On weekdays and early mornings there are few worshippers, letting you feel the air of the sacred grounds quietly
• Time needed: About thirty minutes for worship and viewing the stone monkeys, about an hour if you add Medake Shrine
• Nearby spots: Combining it with Kojima Shrine and Harahoge Jizo in the same Ashibe area makes for a full tour of the power spots of Iki
• Budget feel: Worship is free. Iki is reached by ferry and jetfoil from Hakata Port or Karatsu-Higashi Port

A Quick Tip

Bring a compass or the compass on your phone to experience the strange magnetism of the sacred rock. Looking at the face of each of the more than two hundred stone monkeys one by one is part of the fun. There is no restroom near the main hall, so it is reassuring to use the one at the lower parking lot first.

📚 Sources

The information about Ondake Shrine was compiled by our editorial team from Iki City tourism information, local guidance, and interpretive signs on the grounds. The account of one of Iki Island foremost power spots, where many stone monkeys connected to Sarutahiko-no-Mikoto are lined up, follows these public references. Because worship hours and shrine-office services may change, please confirm the latest information from Iki City or local sources before your visit.

Visitor Checklist

• Estimated time: Allow about 30 minutes to an hour combining worship at the halls with viewing the grounds.
• What to prepare: You will walk the grounds, so comfortable shoes make the visit pleasant.
• Getting around: It is on the island, so it is convenient to go by car and worship from the parking lot.
• Worship manners: Worship quietly on the grounds lined with stone monkeys and be mindful of the offerings.