There is a legend stating that a long time ago, a giant ray carrying the sea deity Wadatsumi no Kami appeared from the Shiranui Sea, and, in an attempt to go over the Uto Peninsula, it went ashore. However, a giant net blocked its path. And so, unable to proceed nor return to where it came from, the ray laid itself down.
It is said that the area where this happened got its name, Einoo, meaning “ray’s tail” in Japanese, from the fact that it is where the tail of the ray was when it laid down, and Einootsurugi Shrine was built at the tip of the tail.
According to popular belief, every year around midnight on August 1st on the lunar calendar, a row of light called Shiranuhi, meaning “mirage of fire,” appears offshore in front of the shrine. Many visitors stop by the shrine grounds, which offer good views, to catch a glimpse of this optical phenomenon.