Blue Stone-paved Street is a 250m stone-paved alley connecting the port and Miho Shrine. As its name suggests, the stone pavement looks blue when it gets wet. Old inns, restaurants, souvenir shops, etc. line both sides of the street, reminiscent of the bustling past. The moist stone-paved atmosphere is perfect for experiencing the atmosphere of a good old Japanese port town. **To be honest, there are a lot of tourists, but once you step onto this street, you will feel as if you have traveled back in time. **It is also recommended to take a leisurely stroll, look at the historical buildings, and take a break at a coffee shop.

Miho Shrine, located at the back of Blue Stone-paved Street, is the head shrine of Ebisu (Kotoshiro-nushi-no-mikoto) throughout Japan, and is considered the head shrine of all Ebisu shrines nationwide. It is a historic shrine that also appears in the Kojiki, and is particularly worshiped as the god of prosperity in business, safety at sea, and fishing. The "double visit" to Izumo Taisha and Miho Shrine has been drawing attention in recent years as it is said to bring good luck in both matchmaking and business prosperity. The unique architectural style known as "Miho-zukuri," with the two main shrines lined up side by side, is also one of the highlights.

Mihonoseki is also a religious area where various religious ceremonies and festivals are held throughout the year. In particular, the Morote-fune Shinto Ceremony is held every year on December 3rd, and the Aoshibagaki Shinto Ceremony is held every year on April 7th, both of which are designated as Important Intangible Folk Cultural Properties of Japan. If you visit during these festivals, you will be able to feel the deep history and faith of Mihonoseki more personally. Personally, I feel that the tranquility of the blue stone pavement street and the solemnity of Miho Shrine are the greatest attractions of this port town.

[Trivia]

- The stone pavement of the blue stone pavement street is made of a type of andesite called "Iwami stone," which has the distinctive feature of appearing bluish when wet.

・Miho Shrine enshrines Ebisu, the son of Okuninushi, the deity of Izumo Taisha.

・Izumo Taisha and Miho Shrine have a long-standing religious custom of "double visits," and it is said that visiting them together will bring more benefits.

[Hidden Spot Information]
The Mihonoseki Lighthouse, located on a hill just off the blue stone paved street, is a hidden scenic spot. This historic lighthouse was built in the Meiji era, and the magnificent view of the Sea of ​​Japan from there is breathtaking. If the weather is good, you can sometimes see all the way to the Oki Islands. There is also a cafe next to the lighthouse, so it is recommended to enjoy the view while sipping coffee.