Hōraijima

What it is

• A gourd-shaped island in Otsuchi Bay consisting of two connected hills.
• The inspiration and model for the television show Hyokkori Hyoutan-jima.
• A registered monument owned by the town of Otsuchi since August 2013.
• A site featuring a shrine dedicated to the eight-armed deity Benzaiten.

What to see

• The Otsuchi Port Lighthouse designed to resemble a sun and an hourglass.
• Benten Shrine located on the larger hill of the island.
• A 340-meter breakwater that connects the island directly to the mainland.
• A statue of Benzaiten with eight arms housed within the shrine.

Notes written by Japan Gems from facts in Japanese Wikipedia.