Izumo-taisha Grand Shrine

A shrine from Japan's myths, home to the god of good relationships. See the National Treasure main hall and giant shimenawa, and pray with four claps.

The shrine of Okuninushi, a god of myth

Izumo-taisha Grand Shrine (read Izumo Oyashiro or Izumo Taisha) is in Izumo City, Shimane Prefecture. It enshrines Okuninushi no Okami, a god who appears in Japan's ancient myths and is also known from the story of the White Hare of Inaba, in which he helps an injured rabbit.

Okuninushi is loved as a god of enmusubi (bringing people together, especially good matches between men and women). According to the Izumo Tourism Association, this comes from the myths in which he was united with many goddesses and had a great many children.

The National Treasure main hall and the giant shimenawa

The present Gohonden (main sanctuary, the most important building, where the god resides) was built in 1744 and is about 24 m tall. It is in the taisha-zukuri style, considered the oldest style of Japanese shrine architecture, and was designated a National Treasure in 1952.

Tradition says the earlier main hall was even taller, reaching about 48 m in the Heian period. In 2000 a huge pillar made of three great tree trunks bound together was found in the grounds, exactly as shown in an old building plan.

Another highlight is the great shimenawa (a straw rope that marks a sacred place) hanging on the Kaguraden hall. It is 13.6 m long, weighs 5.2 t and is one of the largest in Japan.

Pray with two bows, four claps and one bow

At most shrines in Japan people pray with two bows, two claps and one bow, but at Izumo-taisha the custom is two bows, four claps and one bow. According to the shrine, at the annual festival on 14 May worshippers clap eight times. In Japan the number 8 has long stood for the limitless, and on ordinary days people clap half that number, four times.

The 10th month of the old lunar calendar is called Kannazuki (the month without gods) across Japan, but in Izumo it is called Kamiarizuki (the month with gods), because the gods from all over the country gather here. In 2026, the festivals, including the Kamiari-sai, run from the Kamimukae Shinji (welcoming ceremony for the gods) on the night of 18 November to the Karasade-sai on 25 November.

Getting there

From JR Izumoshi Station, the Ichibata Bus takes about 20 to 25 minutes. By train, take the Ichibata Electric Railway from Dentetsu-Izumoshi Station, change at Kawato Station and get off at Izumo-taisha-mae Station.

Nearby Inasa Beach is said to be the setting of the myths of the Kuni-yuzuri (handing over of the land) and the Kuni-biki (pulling of the land). If you have time, visit it too and the world of the myths will feel much closer.

Tips

• Not only at the main hall but at every shrine in the grounds, you pray with two bows, four claps and one bow. Follow the people around you and try clapping four times.
• In Kamiarizuki (November in 2026), many people come for the Kamimukae Shinji, the Kamiari-sai and other rites. Traffic restrictions may be in place around the shrine, so check the notices on the official website before you set out.
• Drone use is restricted in the shrine grounds. If you are thinking of aerial photography, check the guidance on the official website.

Sources

• 出雲大社（公式）
• 御本殿 | 出雲大社（公式）
• 出雲大社での参拝はどのようにするのでしょうか？ | 出雲大社（公式）
• 令和８年出雲大社祭日表 | 出雲大社（公式）
• 出雲大社｜出雲観光ガイド（出雲観光協会公式）

Updated 28 September 2026. Opening hours and prices change, so check the official site before you go.