Izumo Ooyashiro

One of the most well-known shrines in Izumo Province.
It is said that the shrine was established when the deity Okuninushi no Mikoto ceded the land to the heavenly gods. Originally called Kizuki Taisha, it was renamed Izumo Taisha in 1871.
Due to Okuninushi no Mikoto's request for a grand palace equivalent to that of the heavenly gods, the main hall is exceptionally large, with the current shrine built in 1744 standing at about 24 meters high, making it one of the tallest wooden shrine buildings.

According to legend, the original main hall was 48 meters high. Historical records suggest it was once 96 meters high, supported by numerous pillars, making it larger than the Great Buddha Hall of Todai-ji.
While it is uncertain whether such a tall wooden structure was feasible, large pillar remains were excavated in 2000, and a circular trace is now preserved in front of the Yatsuashi Gate.

One reason Izumo Taisha is well-known is the "Kamiarizuki" (month of the gods) in October, when gods from across Japan gather at the shrine.
It is believed they gather to discuss matchmaking, and during this period, the two "Jukusha" halls within the precincts house these gods.
These long, narrow gable-roofed halls are usually closed but are opened during this period.

On the west side of the precincts stands the Kaguraden, adorned with a large shimenawa (sacred rope).
The shimenawa, weighing about 5 tons, has a circumference of 9 meters, making it the largest in Japan.
To the south of the Kaguraden is a 47-meter-tall flagpole, and the flag raised here is the largest in Japan, equivalent to the size of 75 tatami mats.