🎎 In the Land of Izumo, where the gods go out to play - A special experience of "Izumo no Hi" analyzing Japanese spiritual culture through mythology.

In 2020, Izumo City designated January 26 as "Izumo Day," and the week including that day is referred to as "Izumo Week." A special two-day event titled "Izumo - An Experience Analyzing Japan's Spiritual Culture through Mythology on the Day of Izumo" will be held on one of the days from January 29 to 31, 2024. It is said that every year during "Kaminazuki" (the 10th month of the lunar calendar), deities from across the country gather in the Izumo region. The purpose of this special experience is to invite participants to this mystical Izumo during that time and engage in various activities that reminisce about the deities' outings. The event begins with an experience at "Izumo Taisha." The deity enshrined at Izumo Taisha, "Ōkuninushi no Ōkami," is revered as the "God of Nation-Building," bestowing wisdom necessary for survival in agriculture, fishing, aquaculture, and even medicine. Participants will have the opportunity to worship beside the deity after entering through the normally inaccessible "Yatsukado" gate in the main hall. Following this, a limited-time prayer ceremony called "Yagura Kagura Prayer" will be held in the Kagura Hall. The priests will recite the wishes selected by participants one by one, and shrine maidens will perform dances to offer blessings. Next, participants will head to the "Shimane Prefectural Ancient Izumo History Museum" to experience the inaugural "Museum Night" event. Through the numerous bronze swords and large wooden pillars unearthed within the museum, they will witness the powerful forces that once existed in ancient Izumo, which is associated with the "Kaminazuki" legend. During the event, curators will provide valuable insights into the mysteries of the exhibits. The highlight of this special experience is an event called "NAORAI Culture Experience & Premium Izumo Night Kagura." The deities of Izumo hold a banquet called "Naorai," inviting the deities who come to Izumo during "Kaminazuki." In a residence designated as a cultural property of Izumo City, a local chef who has previously offered dishes to Izumo Taisha will showcase their culinary skills, preparing several special dishes using local ingredients from Izumo and the San'in region. The indispensable sake for "NAORAI" will be specially selected new sake and renowned varieties from the birthplace of sake, "Izumo." The performance of "Ōkuninushi Kagura" at the end of the banquet is a dance offered before the deities and is also designated as an important intangible folk cultural asset by the country. Being able to closely observe the powerful Kagura dance and interact with the performers is a significant feature of this event. On the second day of the event, participants will also take part in experiences related to sending off the deities at "Mankyu Sen Shrine." Mankyu Sen Shrine is the last shrine visited by the deities from across the country before they leave Izumo. Here, through tasting sacred sake and performing dances with the priests to pray for a safe journey and look forward to meeting again, a special event will conclude the experience. Additionally, the priests responsible for sending off the deities will share stories about the sending-off ceremony, which should not be missed.

Special events will be held during "Izumo Week" from January 29 to 31, 2024. Participants will have the opportunity to enter the usually restricted "Hachikado" inside Izumo Taisha for worship and experience the limited-time "Night Kagura Prayer" during this period. Additionally, there will be the first-ever Museum Night at the Shimane Prefectural Ancient Izumo History Museum. The "NAORAI (直会) Cultural Experience & Premium Izumo Night Kagura" will feature dining and drinking at the Izumo Rich Mansion, along with a performance of "Otokuni Kagura." The special experience will conclude with a prayer ritual involving sacred sake and priestly dance at "Mankyu Shrine," where the deities set off on their journey.