Japan's Oldest Shrine Architecture Reaching Toward Heaven

Towering 24 meters above the sacred grounds of Shimane Prefecture, Izumo Taisha's main shrine building (Honden) represents Japan's oldest architectural tradition and serves as the earthly palace of Okuninushi, the deity of relationships and matchmaking. Designated a National Treasure in 1952, this extraordinary structure exemplifies the Taisha-zukuri architectural style—a building tradition that predates Buddhism's arrival in Japan and offers visitors a rare glimpse into the nation's most ancient spiritual heritage.

Why It Was Designated as a National Treasure

The designation of Izumo Taisha's main shrine as a National Treasure stems from its architectural rarity and historical significance. Taisha-zukuri represents Japan's most ancient shrine architecture, preserving characteristics of prehistoric raised-floor dwellings. While the current structure dates from 1744, it faithfully maintains ancient building techniques found nowhere else in Japan.

Archaeological excavations from 2000-2001 uncovered massive pillar remains consisting of three cedar trees bundled together, each cluster measuring 3 meters in diameter. This discovery provides compelling evidence for medieval records claiming the shrine once stood 48 meters tall—surpassing even Todaiji's Great Buddha Hall—demonstrating the remarkable architectural achievements of ancient Japan.

Architectural Features and Highlights

The Taisha-zukuri style's most distinctive feature is its gracefully curved roofline. Unlike Ise Grand Shrine's straight-lined simplicity, Izumo Taisha's roof sweeps upward in elegant curves, culminating in massive forked finials (chigi) that reach over 7 meters into the sky. Three cylindrical wooden billets (katsuogi) wrapped in gleaming copper crown the roof.

Though the interior remains closed to visitors, nine massive pillars support the structure in a perfect grid pattern, with the sacred central pillar (shin no mihashira) marking the spiritual heart. The space divides into four quadrants forming the character for rice field (田). Remarkably, Okuninushi faces west—the only major shrine deity in Japan to do so—symbolizing his dominion over the unseen world as the sun sets in that direction.

Unique Worship Custom: Two Bows, Four Claps, One Bow

Izumo Taisha's prayer ritual differs from every other shrine in Japan. While standard Shinto practice involves two claps, visitors here perform "ni-hai, yon-hakushu, ichi-hai"—two bows, four claps, and one bow. The four claps represent prayers for both yourself and your partner (present or future), reflecting the shrine's role as Japan's supreme matchmaking deity.

During the Imperial Festival each May 14th, this doubles to eight claps, making the daily four a "half-prayer" throughout the year, reminding worshippers to approach the divine with humility.

Kamiarizuki: When Eight Million Gods Gather

During the 10th lunar month (typically mid-November to mid-December), while the rest of Japan observes Kannazuki ("month without gods"), Izumo celebrates Kamiarizuki ("month with gods"). According to ancient belief, all eight million Shinto deities gather at Izumo Taisha for their annual assembly.

The gods arrive via Inasa Beach, 1.2 kilometers west of the shrine, where they're welcomed with solemn ceremonies before taking residence in the long wooden lodges (jukusha) flanking the main shrine. Here they determine human relationships and agricultural fortunes for the coming year, making this period especially sacred for visitors seeking divine intervention in matters of the heart.

Access and Visitor Information

From Tokyo, reach Izumo via a 90-minute flight to Izumo Airport (¥15,000-39,000) or the romantic overnight Sunrise Izumo sleeper train (12 hours, ¥22,000+). From Osaka or Kyoto, the journey takes 4-5 hours via Shinkansen to Okayama and the Yakumo Limited Express. From JR Izumo Station, Ichibata buses depart every 30 minutes for the 25-minute ride to the shrine (¥460).

The shrine opens from 6:00 to 19:00 daily with free admission to the main complex. The Treasure Hall, displaying archaeological finds including ancient pillar remains, charges 300 yen for adults. English-guided tours run weekends and holidays at 10:00 AM and 1:00 PM (800 yen per person), departing from Shinmon Dori Omotenashi Station.

Wheelchair access is available via stone-slab walkways with ramps, and wheelchairs can be borrowed at the shrine office from 8:30 to 16:30. Multiple accessible restrooms are clearly marked throughout the grounds.

Local Specialties and Nearby Attractions

The 700-meter Shinmon-dori shopping street leads to the shrine, lined with over 60 establishments. Here, visitors must try Izumo soba, one of Japan's three great soba varieties, distinguished by its dark color from buckwheat milled with husks intact. The warigo style arrives in distinctive stacked red lacquer bowls.

Equally essential is zenzai, the sweet red bean soup that originated at Izumo Taisha during ancient Kamiari festivals. The local version features oversized Dainagon azuki beans with red and white rice dumplings in a delicately sweet broth.

A 15-minute walk brings visitors to Inasa Beach, where the gods make landfall each November. The distinctive Bentenjima rock with its tiny shrine creates spectacular sunset silhouettes. Visitors can participate in a unique sand exchange ritual—collecting sand here to trade for blessed sand at the Soga Shrine within Izumo Taisha's grounds.

The adjacent Shimane Museum of Ancient Izumo displays the actual excavated pillar remains and detailed models showing the shrine's evolution. For accommodation, Takenoya Ryokan sits just one minute from the main gate, while luxury seekers should book KAI Izumo resort with oceanview hot springs.