⛩️ Omiwa Shrine

The Ōmiwa Shrine enshrines the deity Ōmononushi no Ōkami and is the oldest shrine in Japan, with Mount Miwa as its sacred body. There is no main hall; instead, worshippers pay their respects to Mount Miwa through three torii gates located behind the worship hall, preserving the original way of venerating deities. The three torii gates and the worship hall, rebuilt in 1664 by Tokugawa Ietsuna, are designated as Important Cultural Properties of Japan. The Ōmiwa Shrine also enshrines the various gods of the Kumano Sanzan. Within the grounds, there are several shrines such as the Shinpō Shrine, which is the guardian deity of treasures and wealth and is revered by the public; the Emperor Shrine, dedicated to Emperor Sujin; the Gōen Inari Shrine, established during the Kamakura period as the guardian shrine of Jōgen-ji; and the Haruhito Shrine, where visitors must first pay respects to the four purification deities before visiting the Ōmiwa Shrine. The expansive grounds host a variety of deities. On the way to the Sakai Shrine, which is dedicated to the god of healing and health, there is a "Path of Medicine" where pharmaceutical companies have donated to plant medicinal trees and herbs. To the left of the Sakai Shrine's main hall is a medicinal well called "Banbyō Kaijō," where people come to draw "sacred water." Near the entrance to Mount Miwa, visitors can obtain permission to enter the mountain by applying at the Sakai Shrine. There are also specific regulations for climbing Mount Miwa, and it is essential to comply with them. Another major attraction of the Ōmiwa Shrine is its enormous torii gate, standing 32.2 meters tall with a span of 23 meters between its two pillars, which is quite rare throughout Japan. This magnificent torii gate showcases a majestic presence against the backdrop of Mount Miwa. Made of durable steel plates, it is said to have a lifespan of up to 1,300 years, making it a significant landmark of the Ōmiwa Shrine.

The shrine dedicated to Ōmononushi no Ōkami is the oldest shrine in Japan. The worship hall and the three torii gates behind it are important cultural properties of the nation. Mount Miwa serves as the sacred body, and to ascend Mount Miwa for worship, one must obtain permission from Sakai Shrine. Every year in June, a purification ceremony called "Nagoshi no Harae" is held, which involves passing through a ring made of thatch. Standing at 32.2 meters tall and with the two pillars spaced 23 meters apart, it is a rare giant torii in Japan.