By MaedaAkihiko - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0

One of Japan's oldest and most important Shinto shrines, predating even Ise. Dedicated to Okuninushi no Mikoto, the deity of relationships and marriage, Izumo Taisha draws pilgrims year-round. The shrine complex is unusually large, with a towering shimenawa rope and a distinct architectural style (taisha-zukuri) found nowhere else. The October lunar calendar festival (Kannazuki) is when all eight million gods of Japan are said to gather here.

Best season

October

Crowd level

Popular

Rating

4.6· 32,707 reviews

Opening hours

Open 24 hours

Usual hours — confirm with the official site for holidays + seasonal closures.

Nearest station

IZUMOSHI STATION · 13 min walk

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