Usual hours and prices, checked 2026-09-14 against the sources under “What this place is”. They can change for holidays and events — confirm before you go. Official site
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Our guide
Izumo Taisha is one of the oldest and most important Shinto shrines in Japan, widely regarded as older even than Ise; no record gives the date it was founded. It is dedicated to Ōkuninushi, known above all as the god of marriage. The main hall gave its name to a whole style of shrine building, taisha-zukuri, and it and the buildings attached to it have been National Treasures since 1952. Tradition says the hall once stood far taller than it does now, and the discovery of enormous pillar remains in 2000 lends that story weight.
The grounds open early and close in the evening, but the area behind the main hall closes at 16:30, so go round to the back first if you arrive late in the day. Izumo Taisha-mae Station is about 1 km away in a straight line, and Shimane Museum of Ancient Izumo is about 0.5 km from the shrine.
Written by japan-spots.com (2026-09-22) from the sources credited on this page. Distances are straight lines between map positions.
Photos
Photos from Wikimedia Commons, each under its own licence — see credits
- Izumo-taisha14bs4592 — 663highland · CC BY 2.5 · source · resized
- Izumo-taisha 121538651 f69f257ed0 o — Blue Lotus · CC BY 2.0 · source · resized
- Izumo-taisha 121538649 804cc41841 o — Blue Lotus · CC BY 2.0 · source · resized
- Izumo-taisha11n4592 — 663highland · CC BY 2.5 · source · resized
- Izumo-taisha05n4592 — 663highland · CC BY 2.5 · source · resized
- Izumo-shrine Shin-no-mihashira — Miya.m · CC BY-SA 3.0 · source · resized
- Izumo-shrine Haiden01 — Miya.m · CC BY-SA 3.0 · source · resized
What this place is
Izumo-taisha (出雲大社; "Izumo Grand Shrine"), officially Izumo Ōyashiro, is one of the most ancient and important Shinto shrines in Japan. No record gives the date of establishment. Located in Izumo, Shimane Prefecture, it hosts two major festivals. It is dedicated to the kami (god) Ōkuninushi (大国主大神, Ōkuninushi no Ōkami), famous as the Shinto deity of marriage and to Kotoamatsukami, distinguishing heavenly kami. The shrine is widely regarded as the oldest Shinto shrine in Japan, predating the Ise Shrine.A style of architecture, taisha-zukuri, takes its name from the main hall of Izumo-taisha. That hall, and the attached buildings, were designated National Treasures of Japan in 1952.According to tradition, the hall was once much taller than it is now. The discovery in 2000 of the remains of enormous pillars lends credence to this.
Visitor information checked: 2026-09-14 · Izumo Taisha: visiting hours
Background text from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0)
What to expect at this type of place: Shrine
Nearby station
Nearby station: Izumo Taisha-mae (Taisha line), about 1000 m from the spot in a straight line.
Worked out on 2026-09-14 from this place’s map position, using HeartRails Express station data and station names from Wikidata. The distance is a straight line, not a walking route, and says nothing about buses, transfers or timetables — plan the trip on Google Maps.
Where to stay nearby
Hotels near Izumo Taisha on Agoda
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