Izumo

© JNTO

To the east of Shimane Prefecture, the great shrine of Izumo or Izumo Taisha is dedicated to the Shinto God Okuninushi-no-Mikoto, creator and protector of medicine, sericulture and agriculture, who would have received it as compensation for another territory given to another God. This would be the oldest shrine in Japan, in fact, its existence dates back to at least the 7th century. However, most of the current buildings date from 1668 and the main building from 1744 (which would be its 25th reconstruction). The main shrine, with a height of 24 meters, is the landmark of the Taisha Zukuri architectural style. But it is said that there was a time when its size was 48 meters, a hypothesis reinforced by the discovery in 2000 of three wooden pillars of 1 meter in diameter joined together to form a single pillar for a building that could have supported such height.

In October (of the lunar calendar), all the gods of Shintoism met in two large rectangular buildings of the Izumo Taisha. So October is called “the month without gods” in all of Japan, except in Izumo, where it is called “the month of the gods.”

Places to visit

Izumo Shrine

Izumo Taisha is made up of several buildings, whose main shrine, declared a National Treasure, dates back to 1744. It is surrounded by a double fence. It is reached by a great avenue lined with majestic pine trees. Its gate, O-torii, the largest gate to a shrine in Japan, is adorned with a gigantic braided rice straw rope (a shimenawa) 13 meters long, 9 meters in maximum diameter and weighing 3 tons. .

Izumo Kambe no Sato

Here you can learn about mythology and folklore, as well as the traditional arts of the Izumo province. You can talk to the craftsmen and they will teach you some of their techniques. It is possible to participate in workshops by reservation.

• A few minutes walk from the Izumo Kambe no Sato bus stop.
  Tel.: (0852) 28 0040