〜Home to the God of Marriage〜
Besides love and marriage, Izumo-Taisha Grand Shrine is also known as the shrine for good relationships and attracts people from all walks of life to visit. Izumo-Taisha Grand Shrine is dedicated to Okuninushi-no-okami, which is a god that is said to have created Japan, and has become well-known as home to the god of marriage as it is believed that the gods gather in front of Okuninushi-no-okami to discuss marriage and personal relationships among the people in October every year.
◆Know the Right Way to Worship the God!
Visit Harai-yashiro, which is a small shrine where you pray to cleanse your sins and dirt, on the right first after passing through the torii on the way to the shrine. Cleanse yourself at the purification trough after that before heading to the worship hall.
Present your offerings and pray in the manner of “2 bows, 4 claps, 1 bow” in the worship hall. Tell the god your wish after stating your name and daily gratitude within your heart.
◆Known as One of the Three Major Soba in Japan – Izumo Soba
Izumo Soba is distinguished by its dark colour and strong aroma, as the buckwheat fruit is ground together with the outer husk. It is famous for being served Warigo Soba style, which is done when three round lacquerware bowls are assembled in a tower, and then consumed by directly dipping the contents of each layer in dashi (soup stock). It is also typical to have it in the form of Kamaage Soba. Why not drop by one of the many soba restaurants near Izumo-Taisha Grand Shrine to try it out?
Address: Kizukihigashi 195, Taisha-cho, Izumo-shi, Shimane
Website: https://www.sanin-tourism.com/en/todo/200.html
Phone: +81-853-53-3100 (Japanese language only)
