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Izumo Taisha's Kaguraden with the iconic giant shimenawa sacred rope weighing 5 tons. Built in 1981. 神楽殿と注連縄306 views
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Amid a complex of moats, stone walls, and reconstructed turrets, the main castle tower largely retains its original 17th-century construction and stands five stories high. 303 views
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Yaegaki Shrine's wedded trees.248 views
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Izumo Taisha's Honden built in the Taisha-zukuri style. National Treasure. 本殿245 views
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Lake Shinji, Matsue226 views
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Yomegashima island and Jizo statues, Lake Shinji, Matsue, Shimane Pref.212 views
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Yaegaki Shrine, Matsue 八重垣神社212 views
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Kamosu Shrine in Matsue, Shimane. 神魂神社202 views
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Fudoki-no-Oka Okadayama tumulus, Matsue 風土記の丘198 views
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Giant torii as it looked years ago, minus the new paint job.181 views
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Shimane Art Museum rabbits158 views
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Haiden and Honden behind it.153 views
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Haiden and shimenawa sacred rope 拝殿. The Haiden was built in 1959 after the original building was destroyed by fire in 1953.139 views
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Izumo, Shimane manhole. Shows Hinomisaki lighthouse.137 views
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Izumo Taisha ema prayer tablet for the Year of the Dog.123 views
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Without the tents.121 views
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Taikodani Inari Jinja Shrine toriis118 views
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Izumo Taisha's Haiden worship hall where you can hold prayers and other ceremonies like in a church. Rebuilt in 1959 after the previous one was lost in a fire in 1953. 拝殿117 views
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Taikodani Inari Jinja Shrine's many toriis going up the mountain.117 views
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Sando path to the shrine. 参道116 views
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Lots of people took selfies here in front of the torii and big stone pillar engraved with "IZUMO TAISHA." For Instagram of course.113 views
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Omikuji charms.110 views
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Lots of people took selfies here in front of the torii and big stone pillar engraved with "IZUMO TAISHA." For Instagram of course.109 views
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Second torii to Izumo Taisha.109 views
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Lake Shinji and Matsu pine trees109 views
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Map of castle grounds and my bicycle.107 views
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Giant shimenawa straw rope of Izumo Taisha Shrine's Kaguraden, the largest sacred rope in Japan. Weighs 5 tons.104 views
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Tachikue Gorge 立久恵峡103 views
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Izumo Hinosaki Lighthouse 出雲日御碕燈台102 viewsWent there by bicycle.
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This center path is reserved for the gods visiting Izumo Taisha. Humans have to walk on the side paths to the shrine. 参道102 views
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Built in 1611, Matsue Castle is Japan's latest and fifth castle whose main tower tower has been designated as a National Treasure (on July 8, 2015).101 viewsMatsue Castle is open 8:30 am to 6:30 pm (or 5 pm during Oct. to Mar.). No holidays. Admission is ¥280 for foreigners. Combination ticket that includes admission to the Lafcadio Hearn Museum is also available.
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JR Izumo-shi Station in the 1990s.100 views
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On New Year's Day 2018, many people visit Izumo Taisha Shrine by car. Lots of parking was provided, but I always saw the "Full" sign.99 views
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Izumo Taisha's Honden, a National Treasure. The V-shaped roof ornaments (chigi), an unmistakable trademark of Shinto, also look slightly different from other shrine architectural styles.99 views
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Sagimai statue in Tsuwano, Shimane.99 views
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View of Lake Shinji from Matsue Castle.98 views
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Entering Taikodani Inari Jinja Shrine.98 views
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Taisha Station, closed in 1990 and preserved as an Important Cultural Property. 大社駅97 views
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JR Matsue Station 松江駅96 views
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Tsuwano manhole 95 views
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Yaegaki Shrine 八重垣神社92 views
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Jizo statue at Lake Shinji, Matsue.91 views
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Fudoki-no-Oka Okadayama tumulus88 views
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Almost sunset over Lake Shinji87 views
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A couple tries to find out how strong their bond will be.87 views
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Taikodani Inari Jinja Shrine's many toriis going up the mountain.87 views
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Tsuwano Castle ruins in Shimane.87 views
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Nicknamed Tsuwano O-Inarisan, Taikodani Inari Jinja is one of Japan's Top Five Inari shrines noted for many vermillion torii gates along the path to the shrine.86 viewsThe shrine worships Uka-no-Mitama, a deity associated with food and agriculture, and the goddess Izanami. It is Shimane Prefecture's second most popular shrine after Izumo Taisha. About a 20-min. walk from JR Tsuwano Station.
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A closer look at the torii in the mountains.85 views
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Finally reached the shrine.85 views
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Nice view as you go up. Lower left shows the entrance torii.84 views
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Another switchback.84 views
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View of garden in Lafcadio Hearn's old residence.83 views
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In Tsuwano, Yamaguchi Prefecture, Taikodani Inari Jinja Shrine is on a hilltop with its many toriis clearly visible from the nearby river.83 views
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Taikodani Inari Jinja Shrine's many toriis going up the mountain.83 views
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Taikodani Inari Jinja Shrine's Haiden worship hall.83 views
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Taikodani Inari Jinja Shrine's Haiden worship hall.83 views
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Taikodani Inari Jinja Shrine's ema prayer tablet.83 views
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From a distance, you see the shrine halfway up the mountain.83 views
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Small shrine on the way up.82 views
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On the mountain in the distance, you can see a vermillion torii.82 views
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This is what the torii looks like up close. It's a giant torii next to the mountain highway on the way to Tsuwano. Donated by someone for the shrine.82 views
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Wash basin to purify yourself before praying at the shrine.82 views
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Gate to Taikodani Inari Jinja Shrine.82 views
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Taikodani Inari Jinja Shrine's Haiden worship hall.82 views
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Taikodani Inari Jinja Shrine's Haiden worship hall.82 views
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Inside Taikodani Inari Jinja Shrine's Haiden worship hall.82 views
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Shrine office and souvenirs.82 views
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Taikodani Inari Jinja Shrine's ema prayer tablet.82 views
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Stone lantern near the shrine entrance.82 views
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Yasaka Jinja in Tsuwano.82 views
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Lion dancer was at Yasaka Jinja for New Year's.82 views
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One of the torii switchbacks on the way up.81 views
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View of the adjacent valley.81 views
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Taikodani Inari Jinja Shrine's Haiden worship hall.81 views
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Shrine offices and souvenir stand.81 views
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Ema prayer tablets.81 views
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Taikodani Inari Jinja Shrine's ema prayer tablet for 2018, Year of the Dog.81 views
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View from the parking lot.81 views
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The shrine's old worship hall called Motomiya. Used before the current shrine Haiden worship hall was built in 1969.81 views
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Inside the shrine's old worship hall called Motomiya.81 views
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Shrine gate81 views
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Walking back down from the shrine.81 views
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Shrine gate81 views
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Train tracks cross over the path to the Inari Shrine.81 views
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Adachi Museum of Art garden, Shimane Prefecture.81 views
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Inside the torii tunnel at Taikodani Inari Jinja Shrine in Tsuwano, Shimane Prefecture80 views
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Inside the torii tunnel at Taikodani Inari Jinja Shrine.80 views
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Moss growing on the top.80 views
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Map of the torii path and shrine.80 views
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Taikodani Inari Jinja Shrine's Haiden worship hall.80 views
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New Year's charms.80 views
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Shrine gate80 views
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Fried tofu, a good snack.80 views
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Shrine's first torii in town.80 views
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Way to Inari Shrine.80 views
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Torii peg.79 views
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Makeshift roof over a bunch of toriis.79 views
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The shrine's parking lot is downstairs. If you have a car, you can skip hiking through the torii gates and drive up here. There's also a trail to Tsuwano Castle.79 views
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About Yasaka Jinja.79 views
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Yasaka Jinja's centuries old zelkova keyaki tree.79 views
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Yomegashima island and Jizo statues, Lake Shinji79 views
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The famous giant tortoise at Gesshoji Temple, Matsue.79 views
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Entrance to Taikodani Inari Jinja Shrine.78 views
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Many of the toriis are very old like this one from 1926.78 views
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Since it was New Year's 2018, a kadomatsu decorated the Haiden.78 views
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Taikodani Inari Jinja Shrine's ema prayer tablet for 2018, Year of the Dog.78 views
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Near Taikodani Inari Jinja Shrine is anotjer Shinto shine named Yasaka Jinja.78 views
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The famous giant tortoise at Gesshoji Temple, Matsue. They put a stone pillar on its back so it wouldn't walk around at night and wreak havoc. Animal cruelty?78 views
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Adachi Museum of Art garden, Shimane Prefecture.77 views
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Adachi Museum of Art garden, Shimane Prefecture.76 views
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Giant loach in front of the hall in Yasugi, Shimane.76 views
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Map of Izumo Taisha's central buildings centering on the Honden.74 views
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Honden (largest and tallest structure) flanked on both sides by smaller shrines.73 views
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Kitchen of Mori Ogai's birth home. 森鴎外旧宅72 views
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Photo of the Izumo Taisha Honden. Built in the Taisha-zukuri style. National Treasure. 本殿71 views
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Haniwa figures71 views
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About the Izumo no Okuni dancer. Quite a mysterious historical figure.71 views
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Map of Izumo Taisha Shrine. Not as huge as Ise Jingu, but large enough.70 views
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Entrance to Izumo Taisha's Kaguraden.70 views
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Old tsuzumi shoulder drum and koto.70 views
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Closeup of bronze bell design.70 views
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Mori Ogai's birth home. 森鴎外旧宅70 views
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Shimane Museum of Ancient Izumo is celebrating its 10th anniversary in 2018.69 views
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Iwami kagura dance costumes69 views
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Izumo Taisha's Honden built in the Taisha-zukuri style as seen from the left corner. National Treasure. 本殿68 views
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Taisha-zukuri architecture.68 views
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Izumo Taisha has many smaller shrines surrounding it. 68 views
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Izumo Taisha ema prayer tablet for a good marriage.68 views
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Lots of construction going on in jan. 2018.68 views
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Kaguraden Sacred Dance Hall 68 views
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Kaguraden Hall (for sacred dances) is famous for its gigantic straw rope. It looked pretty faded and I was told that it will be replaced in 2018. They replace it once every 7 years or so.68 views
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Izumo Taisha's Kaguraden.68 views
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Small dishes for a sip of sake if you give a small donation. They also had this in front of the Honden. 68 views
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New Year's68 views
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Local manga figure based on the Izumo no Okuni dancer. She was from Izumo and originated kabuki in the early 17th century. 出雲阿国68 views
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Souvenir shop selling all kinds of Izumo Taisha goods.68 views
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Souvenir shop selling all kinds of Izumo Taisha goods.68 views
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The elevated shrine supposed to make it closer to gods.68 views
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Little priests going up the many stairs.68 views
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Wonder how resistant this was to typhoons and earthquakes.68 views
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It is unknown exactly what Izumo Taisha's Honden Hall looked like during the 13th century Kamakura Period. Based on the evidence they could find, five researchers built their own scale models of what they thought the Honden Hall looked like.68 views
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Rear view of the shrine scale models.68 views
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Mori Ogai's birth home. 森鴎外旧宅68 views
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The large roof of the Honden Hall (god's residence) can be seen in the center.67 views
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Near the gate to the Honden are souvenir tents during New Year's.67 views
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Rear side of the giant shimenawa straw rope.67 views
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Under the giant shimenawa straw rope.67 views
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Shimane's official tourism mascot named "Shimanekko," a yellow cat with a shrine roof cap. しまねっこ67 views
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Within the shrine grounds is the very impressive Shimane Museum of Ancient Izumo. (島根県立古代出雲歴史博物館)67 views
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Remains of the giant pillars of the ancient Izumo Taisha.67 views
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The museum's centerpiece exhibit is this scale model of Izumo Taisha's Honden Hall from the 10th-century Heian Period. 67 views
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High wooden pillars supporting the Honden Hall so that it is closer to the gods.67 views
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Rear view of the shrine scale models.67 views
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Pottery kiln67 views
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Pottery67 views
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Statue of Izumo no Okuni dancer near the first Otorii gate.67 views
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Sign reads, "Izumo Taisha" (出雲大社). The shrine's officially named "Izumo Oyashiro" written with the same kanji.66 viewsIzumo Taisha worships Okuninushi (大国主大神), the Shinto god of marriage and Kotoamatsukami, the very first Shinto gods born in heaven even before Japan was created.
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Izumo Taisha Shrine is one of Japan's Top Three most famous and important Shinto shrines. Historically, it may be Japan's oldest shrine. The Honden hall is a National Treasure.66 viewsIzumo Taisha Shrine's first torii called Otorii (Giant Torii). I visited Izumo Taisha on New Year's Day Jan. 1, 2018. 大鳥居
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Retro style building on the way to the shrine.66 views
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This is the second and most popular torii at Izumo Taisha. With the big stone pillar engraved with "IZUMO TAISHA."66 views
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Third torii made of copper and the Haiden. 碧銅の鳥居と拝殿66 views
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Fence surrounding the Honden.66 views
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Shokokan, a museum of dolls. Tangible Cultural Property of Japan. 彰古館66 views
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Back of Izumo Taisha's Honden in the Taisha-zukuri style. National Treasure. 本殿66 views
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Rear side view of the Amasaki-no-Yashiro, Mimukai-no-Yashiro, and Honden shrines. 東端垣から天前社・御向社・本殿を望む66 views
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East Jukusha Shrines where the millions of visiting gods lodge during the Kami-ari-zuki festival in autumn. There's also a twin building on the west side. 十九社 八百萬神66 views
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Izumo Taisha ema prayer tablets.66 views
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Way to the Kaguraden Sacred Dance Hall.66 views
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Izumo Taisha's Kaguraden.66 views
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People believe that the original shrine was on high pillars accessible by this long, sloping wooden steps. Really awesome.66 views
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Very impressive model of the shrine.66 views
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The five models look quite different although they are in agreement on some things like the number of pillars supporting the Honden. 66 views
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Other museum exhibits included many different ancient artifacts like dotaku bronze bells that are all National Treasures.66 views
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Dotaku bronze bells that are all National Treasures in Shimane.66 views
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Iwami kagura dance masks66 views
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On New Year's Day 2018, cars and people crowd the road to the shrine.65 views
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Izumo Taisha's Haiden worship hall.65 views
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Soga Shrine, a smaller shrine behind the Honden. 素鵞(そが)社本殿65 views
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West Jukusha Shrines where visiting gods lodge during the Kami-ari-zuki festival. There's also a twin building on the east side. 十九社 八百萬神65 views
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Closeup of the giant shimenawa straw rope.65 views
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Small pond next to the Kaguraden.65 views
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Lawn outside Shimane Museum of Ancient Izumo. 65 views
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New Year's kadomatsu at Shimane Museum of Ancient Izumo. 65 views
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These two models are similar to the large model.65 views
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Models of the different shrine building architencture in Japan.65 views
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Boat65 views
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Iwami kagura dance masks65 views
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Sign says we are not to walk along center path in order to protect the roots of the pine trees. I'm also told that this center path is reserved for the gods visiting the shrine..64 views
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Smaller shrine. 氏社64 views
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Back of Izumo Taisha's Honden in the Taisha-zukuri style. National Treasure. Rabbits or hares look on too. 本殿64 views
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Rabbits or hares at Izumo Taisha, symbol of fertility and marriage.64 views
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Shrine priests praying in front of the Honden on New Year's Day 2018.64 views
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Kaguraden entrance area64 views
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Souvenir shop selling all kinds of Izumo Taisha goods.64 views
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Back of Haiden.63 views
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Omikuji charms.63 views
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