大神神社 Omiwa-jinja Omiwa Shrine
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Omiwa Shrine is at the foot of Mt. Miwa in Sakurai City, Nara Pref. It is popularly called Miwa Myojin. The shrine is said to have been established to enshrine Omononushi no Okami during the reign of Emperor Sujin (B.C. 97-30) and to be the oldest shrine in Japan. The shrine has no Honden, which contains the Goshintai (the sacred body of the god). This is because Omononushi no Okami is believed to live in Mt. Miwa and Mt. Miwa itself is considered to be the Goshintai. There are a lot of huge stones remaining in Mt. Miwa, which indicates the mountain was the holy place where ritual rites were held in the ancient times. No visitors had been allowed to enter further than the Mitsudorii-Gate behind the Haiden (worship hall) until the Meiji period. At the present time, it is possible to go into the mountain by permission of Sai Shrine, which is one of the Sessha shrines (attached shrines). However, there are several strict rules to observe including the prohibition of eating, drinking and photography. A lot of people come to worship this god, who created the country and is believed to have divine power over every industry and every aspect of people’s daily life.
- address
- 1422 Miwa, Sakurai, Nara Prefecture, 633-8538
- name
- Omiwa Shrine
- phone
- 0744-42-6633
- hp
- http://www.oomiwa.or.jp/