ABOUT
About this spot
Omiwa Shrine stands at the western foot of Mt. Miwa in Sakurai, Nara Prefecture. It is the ichinomiya (first-ranked shrine) of the old Yamato Province, and its main deity is Omononushi no Okami, revered for rice harvests, protection from epidemics and sake brewing. Its defining feature is that it has no main hall (honden). Worshippers face Mt. Miwa, the sacred mountain, directly, a form of worship thought to preserve a very early style of Shinto. According to the Kojiki and Nihon Shoki, the deity appeared before Okuninushi after the land was created and was enshrined on the mountain to the east. In 1871 the shrine was ranked a Kanpei Taisha, a top-grade government shrine. The worship hall was rebuilt in 1664 and is an Important Cultural Property. Behind it stands the unusual triple torii gate, through which visitors look toward the mountain. The large torii at the entrance, about 32 meters tall, was built in 1986. Sub-shrines include Ikuhi Shrine, dedicated to the first sake master, and Sai Shrine, the starting point for climbing Mt. Miwa. Climbing requires registration at the reception; photography and eating on the mountain are not allowed, so check the official site in advance. Allow about one hour for the main grounds, or up to two hours if you visit Sai Shrine.
Last updated October 23, 2026