Worship of Mt. Sanno

Mt. Sanno on Nakadori Island has been considered sacred since ancient times, with its cliffs and caves associated with divine presence. The mountain became linked to the Tendai-derived Sanno faith, centered on mountain deity worship, though exactly how this doctrine arrived on Goto remains unclear. Among the known sites, the Ninomiya cave yielded 17 bronze mirrors dating from the late 13th century to the 18th, objects left by devotees at places of religious significance. Four Shinto shrines remain active on the mountain today, connected by a steep trail leading to a 439-meter summit with views across the Goto island chain.