Izumo-taisha

Izumo-taisha (出雲大社, Izumo Grand Shrine) is one of the most ancient and important Shinto shrines in Japan. It is located at the Izumo city in Shimane Prefecture. The shrine is dedicated to god Ōkuninushi (Ōkuninushi-no-mikoto), famous as the Shinto deity of marriage.  Izumo-taisha’s Kaguraden (Kagura hall) was first built in 1776 as a grand hall for performance of traditional rituals. It was rebuilt in 1981 to commemorate the centennial of the foundation of the Izumo Oyashiro-kyo order.

The Kagura-den features the largest shimenawa (sacred straw rope) in Japan; it is 13.5 meters long and weighs around 5 tons. The rope is one of the most easily recognized and distinctive features of Izumo-taisha.

Photos: Junko Nagata © Japanbyweb.com

Access to Izumo Taisha

1. From JR Izumoshi station by bus  (approx. 22 mins)
2. From Ichibata Railways Izumo Taisha Mae station (approx. 7 mins walk)
3. From Izumo Airport by airport bus (approx. 35 mins)