 Most viewed - SHIMANE 島根県 |
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. 336 views
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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325 views
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Yaegaki Shrine's wedded trees.289 views
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Izumo Taisha's Honden built in the Taisha-zukuri style. National Treasure. 本殿270 views
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Lake Shinji, Matsue268 views
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Yomegashima island and Jizo statues, Lake Shinji, Matsue, Shimane Pref.236 views
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Yaegaki Shrine, Matsue 八重垣神社234 views
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Kamosu Shrine in Matsue, Shimane. 神魂神社221 views
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Fudoki-no-Oka Okadayama tumulus, Matsue 風土記の丘217 views
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Shimane Art Museum rabbits203 views
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Giant torii as it looked years ago, minus the new paint job.197 views
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Izumo, Shimane manhole. Shows Hinomisaki lighthouse.183 views
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Haiden and Honden behind it.177 views
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Izumo Taisha ema prayer tablet for the Year of the Dog.171 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163 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 1953.161 views
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Sando path to the shrine. 参道155 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).150 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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Lots of people took selfies here in front of the torii and big stone pillar engraved with "IZUMO TAISHA." For Instagram of course.148 views
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Sagimai statue in Tsuwano, Shimane.143 views
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Taikodani Inari Jinja Shrine toriis142 views
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Without the tents.140 views
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Tsuwano manhole 140 views
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Map of castle grounds and my bicycle.138 views
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Taikodani Inari Jinja Shrine's many toriis going up the mountain.138 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?135 views
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Second torii to Izumo Taisha.132 views
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View of Lake Shinji from Matsue Castle.132 views
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Tsuwano Castle ruins in Shimane.131 views
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Jizo statue at Lake Shinji, Matsue.131 views
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Lake Shinji and Matsu pine trees130 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.129 views
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Omikuji charms.129 views
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Izumo Hinosaki Lighthouse 出雲日御碕燈台126 viewsWent there by bicycle.
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124 views
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Entering Taikodani Inari Jinja Shrine.123 views
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The famous giant tortoise at Gesshoji Temple, Matsue.123 views
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JR Izumo-shi Station in the 1990s.122 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.122 views
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Giant shimenawa straw rope of Izumo Taisha Shrine's Kaguraden, the largest sacred rope in Japan. Weighs 5 tons.122 views
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Tachikue Gorge 立久恵峡121 views
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Taisha Station, closed in 1990 and preserved as an Important Cultural Property. 大社駅120 views
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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120 views
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Yomegashima island and Jizo statues, Lake Shinji118 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.117 views
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JR Matsue Station 松江駅113 views
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Taikodani Inari Jinja Shrine's many toriis going up the mountain.113 views
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Almost sunset over Lake Shinji112 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.112 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.112 views
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Taikodani Inari Jinja Shrine's ema prayer tablet.112 views
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Yaegaki Shrine 八重垣神社111 views
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One of the torii switchbacks on the way up.111 views
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Nice view as you go up. Lower left shows the entrance torii.111 views
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110 views
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Yasaka Jinja in Tsuwano.110 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.109 views
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109 views
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Inside Taikodani Inari Jinja Shrine's Haiden worship hall.109 views
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Ema prayer tablets.109 views
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New Year's charms.109 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.109 views
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Lion dancer was at Yasaka Jinja for New Year's.109 views
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Taikodani Inari Jinja Shrine's many toriis going up the mountain.108 views
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Another switchback.108 views
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Gate to Taikodani Inari Jinja Shrine.108 views
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Finally reached the shrine.108 views
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Taikodani Inari Jinja Shrine's Haiden worship hall.108 views
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Taikodani Inari Jinja Shrine's Haiden worship hall.108 views
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From a distance, you see the shrine halfway up the mountain.108 views
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Adachi Museum of Art garden, Shimane Prefecture.108 views
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107 views
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107 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.107 views
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Wash basin to purify yourself before praying at the shrine.107 views
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Taikodani Inari Jinja Shrine's ema prayer tablet.107 views
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107 views
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107 views
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Shrine gate107 views
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107 views
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Giant loach in front of the hall in Yasugi, Shimane.107 views
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Inside the torii tunnel at Taikodani Inari Jinja Shrine.106 views
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Moss growing on the top.106 views
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Torii peg.106 views
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106 views
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Taikodani Inari Jinja Shrine's Haiden worship hall.106 views
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106 views
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The shrine's old worship hall called Motomiya. Used before the current shrine Haiden worship hall was built in 1969.106 views
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Shrine gate106 views
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Fried tofu, a good snack.106 views
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Stone lantern near the shrine entrance.106 views
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Adachi Museum of Art garden, Shimane Prefecture.106 views
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Entrance to Taikodani Inari Jinja Shrine.105 views
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Small shrine on the way up.105 views
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View of the adjacent valley.105 views
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105 views
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View from the parking lot.105 views
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Walking back down from the shrine.105 views
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About Yasaka Jinja.105 views
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Adachi Museum of Art garden, Shimane Prefecture.105 views
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Many of the toriis are very old like this one from 1926.104 views
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Map of the torii path and shrine.104 views
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Makeshift roof over a bunch of toriis.104 views
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104 views
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On the mountain in the distance, you can see a vermillion torii.104 views
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Taikodani Inari Jinja Shrine's Haiden worship hall.104 views
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Taikodani Inari Jinja Shrine's Haiden worship hall.104 views
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Shrine office and souvenirs.104 views
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Taikodani Inari Jinja Shrine's ema prayer tablet for 2018, Year of the Dog.104 views
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Inside the shrine's old worship hall called Motomiya.104 views
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104 views
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Shrine gate104 views
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Way to Inari Shrine.104 views
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Train tracks cross over the path to the Inari Shrine.104 views
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103 views
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103 views
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103 views
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Taikodani Inari Jinja Shrine's Haiden worship hall.103 views
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Shrine's first torii in town.103 views
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Yasaka Jinja's centuries old zelkova keyaki tree.103 views
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Fudoki-no-Oka Okadayama tumulus102 views
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Inside the torii tunnel at Taikodani Inari Jinja Shrine in Tsuwano, Shimane Prefecture102 views
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Since it was New Year's 2018, a kadomatsu decorated the Haiden.102 views
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Shrine offices and souvenir stand.102 views
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Taikodani Inari Jinja Shrine's ema prayer tablet for 2018, Year of the Dog.102 views
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102 views
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101 views
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Map of Izumo Taisha's central buildings centering on the Honden.101 views
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Mori Ogai's birth home. 森鴎外旧宅101 views
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100 views
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A couple tries to find out how strong their bond will be.100 views
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Near Taikodani Inari Jinja Shrine is anotjer Shinto shine named Yasaka Jinja.99 views
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Kitchen of Mori Ogai's birth home. 森鴎外旧宅99 views
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98 views
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Photo of the Izumo Taisha Honden. Built in the Taisha-zukuri style. National Treasure. 本殿98 views
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Mori Ogai's birth home. 森鴎外旧宅98 views
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View of garden in Lafcadio Hearn's old residence.97 views
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97 views
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Nice stonework at Matsue Castle.96 views
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95 views
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Uchibori Moat behind Matsue Castle.95 views
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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.95 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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Honden (largest and tallest structure) flanked on both sides by smaller shrines.95 views
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94 views
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Jozan Inari Shrine by Hearn.94 views
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Matsue Castle moat boat.94 views
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94 views
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94 views
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New Year's94 views
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I really liked Tsuwano. It's a small town surrounded by steep mountains. It feels like a Swiss resort in the Alps. It has traditional buildings and the famous Inari Shrine. Photogenic place.94 viewsTsuwano is also a National Important Traditional Townscape Preservation District (重要伝統的建造物群保存地区).
JR Tsuwano Station
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93 views
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Horse-washing Pond.93 views
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Jozan Inari Shrine93 views
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The large roof of the Honden Hall (god's residence) can be seen in the center.93 views
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93 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.93 views
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Closeup of bronze bell design.93 views
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92 views
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Rear side of the giant shimenawa straw rope.92 views
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Rear view of the shrine scale models.92 views
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Old tsuzumi shoulder drum and koto.92 views
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Camellia flowers91 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91 views
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Taisha-zukuri architecture.91 views
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91 views
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Haniwa figures91 views
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91 views
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The Honden is flanked on both sides by smaller shrines.90 views
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Izumo Taisha has many smaller shrines surrounding it. 90 views
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Souvenir shop selling all kinds of Izumo Taisha goods.90 views
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90 views
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Iwami kagura dance costumes90 views
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90 views
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89 views
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89 views
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Map of Matsue Castle.89 views
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Retro style building on the way to the shrine.89 views
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Smaller shrine. 氏社89 views
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Fence surrounding the Honden.89 views
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Shokokan, a museum of dolls. Tangible Cultural Property of Japan. 彰古館89 views
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Rabbits or hares at Izumo Taisha, symbol of fertility and marriage.89 views
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89 views
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89 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89 views
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Izumo Taisha's Kaguraden.89 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. 89 views
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Souvenir shop selling all kinds of Izumo Taisha goods.89 views
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Shimane Museum of Ancient Izumo is celebrating its 10th anniversary in 2018.89 views
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People believe that the original shrine was on high pillars accessible by this long, sloping wooden steps. Really awesome.89 views
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89 views
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Pottery kiln89 views
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89 views
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88 views
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Map of Izumo Taisha Shrine. Not as huge as Ise Jingu, but large enough.88 views
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Back of Izumo Taisha's Honden in the Taisha-zukuri style. National Treasure. 本殿88 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88 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88 views
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Under the giant shimenawa straw rope.88 views
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Entrance to Izumo Taisha's Kaguraden.88 views
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Small pond next to the Kaguraden.88 views
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Kaguraden entrance area88 views
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88 views
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New Year's kadomatsu at Shimane Museum of Ancient Izumo. 88 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. 88 views
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Little priests going up the many stairs.88 views
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Pottery88 views
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About the Izumo no Okuni dancer. Quite a mysterious historical figure.88 views
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Gokoku Shrine87 views
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Third torii made of copper and the Haiden. 碧銅の鳥居と拝殿87 views
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87 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87 views
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Izumo Taisha ema prayer tablet for a good marriage.87 views
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Near the gate to the Honden are souvenir tents during New Year's.87 views
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Way to the Kaguraden Sacred Dance Hall.87 views
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Kaguraden Sacred Dance Hall 87 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)87 views
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High wooden pillars supporting the Honden Hall so that it is closer to the gods.87 views
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87 views
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On New Year's Day 2018, cars and people crowd the road to the shrine.86 views
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Izumo Taisha's Haiden worship hall.86 views
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Omikuji charms.86 views
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86 views
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86 views
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Lots of construction going on in jan. 2018.86 views
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Closeup of the giant shimenawa straw rope.86 views
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Izumo Taisha's Kaguraden.86 views
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86 views
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Very impressive model of the shrine.86 views
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Rear view of the shrine scale models.86 views
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86 views
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Statue of Izumo no Okuni dancer near the first Otorii gate.86 views
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Ceiling.85 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85 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85 views
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Lawn outside Shimane Museum of Ancient Izumo. 85 views
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Wonder how resistant this was to typhoons and earthquakes.85 views
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85 views
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Models of the different shrine building architencture in Japan.85 views
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Boat85 views
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Other museum exhibits included many different ancient artifacts like dotaku bronze bells that are all National Treasures.85 views
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85 views
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