Izumo Taisha shrine - Siena Hayashi, a Painter, Artist with Christianity

Izumo Taisha Shrine

I went to “Izumo Taisha shrine” in an early summer.

Although it looked cloudy, the temperature was actually extremely high.

It takes about 90 minutes to fly from Tokyo Haneda to Izumo Airport.

There is a direct bus from the airport to Izumo Taisha Shrine, which is convenient.

Izumo Taisha Shrine

Izumo Taisha Shrine approach

It is quite a distance to the main shrine, and it is a gradual descent.

Izumo Taisha Shrine approach

The ancient Izumo Taisha Shrine was 96 meters tall, but after reconstruction it was reduced to 48 meters, and is now 24 meters tall.

It was the first high-rise building in ancient Japan, and is said to have been a building that could be seen from the approach to the shrine.

Izumo Taisha Shrine approach

Harai sha

This shrine is called the Harai-sha, and is a place where the impurities that have accumulated on people making pilgrimages to Izumo Taisha are cleansed.

Although it is small, it is the first place you should visit when entering the huge Izumo Taisha Shrine.

Izumo Taisha Shrine approach

It’s quite a distance, so it’s important to replenish fluids and salt intake to avoid heatstroke in the hot summer.

The area is surrounded by forests, and a cool breeze sometimes blows through.

It is said that ancient Japanese people felt that this was the arrival of the gods.

The myth of national transfer

This monument recreates the famous “Kuniyuzuri” (transfer of the country) scene from Japanese mythology.

The main buildings

The 3rd Torii gate to main building

Izumo Taisha Map

Worship hall

If you go through the third torii gate, you will reach the main hall.

I think it’s a good place to take a rest.

You can rest in the shade.

In front is the worship hall.

Behind it is the main hall.

The main building

Unfortunately, it is prohibited to take pictures inside the main hall.

It is the same as Ise Grand Shrine.

You can take pictures if you want, but you will be warned by the guards and it is disrespectful to the gods.

You can take pictures from a distance.

Around the main building

The proper way to worship is to go around the main hall in a counterclockwise direction.

The main building

Susanou sha

This is a shrine dedicated to the famous god, Susanoo.

Here too, the correct way to worship is to pray counterclockwise.

This is said to give you tremendous energy.

The real worship direction

The god Okuninushi enshrined in the main shrine does not face the front of the worship hall.

He faces the west.

Therefore, by praying from the west, you can finally pray to Okuninushi from the front.

Two young women were praying.

Izumo Taisha is said to be the god of good relationships, so it would be good if you could find a good match.

Kagura Hall–with the thickest and largest shimenawa in Japan

The Kagura den Kagura hall

You will be amazed by this huge object, Shimenawa.

Shimenawa are lengths of laid rice straw or hemp rope used for ritual purification in the Shinto religion.

Izumo Taisha Shrine’s giant shimenawa rope is famous.

Giant Shimenawa

It’s almost artistic.

People’s wishes

The myth of the white rabbit of Inaba

This bronze statue recreates a scene from the famous Japanese myth, The White Rabbit of Inaba.

White rabbits

There are adorable rabbit sculptures scattered all over Izumo Taisha Shrine.

The famous Izumo soba

Wariko soba

In this region, Japanese soba noodles are served in small portions and can be enjoyed in a variety of flavors, such as combinations of grated daikon soba, mushroom soba, and tempura soba.

This is a soba restaurant called “Ippuku”.

It’s conveniently located next to the station.

It also has quite a long history.

And the soba is delicious, which is a bonus.