Kumano Taisha (Nanyo)

Kumano Taisha (officially Kumano Shrine) in Miyauchi, Nanyo, Yamagata Prefecture is counted as one of the Three Great Kumano shrines. It is sometimes called "the Ise of Tohoku". Its main deities are Izanagi and Izanami. According to shrine tradition it was revived in 806 by invoking the Kumano deities from Kii Province, and it flourished as a center of Kumano mountain ascetics.

The highlight is the worship hall with its huge thatched hip-and-gable roof and curved gable over the entrance. Rebuilt in 1787, it is a Yamagata Prefecture Tangible Cultural Property and is rare for its size. Other small shrines in the grounds are also prefectural properties. A great ginkgo tree turns gold in autumn, and legend says three rabbits are hidden in carvings behind the main hall.

Allow 30 minutes to an hour. It makes a good stop on a trip through the Okitama region, together with other sights in Nanyo around Akayu Station.