Shimane prefecture, located in the Chugoku region in western Japan, is recently rising as a tourist destination. It is still a foreign destination to many, but Shimane is actually packed with sights to see – especially shrines. In fact, Shimane is home to one of the oldest shrines in Japan!
Many of the shrines in Shimane prefecture are said to grant luck to visitors. In particular, these four shrines – Izumo Taisha Grand Shrine, Yaegaki Shrine, Susa Shrine and Tamatsukuriyu Shrine, are famous for their matchmaking powers. Visit those 4 shrines and feel the spiritual energy of Shimane!
1. Izumo Taisha Grand Shrine
Izumo Taisha Grand Shrine
Izumo Taisha Grand Shrine sits on a hill in the city of Izumo, located on the northern coast of Shimane prefecture. It enshrines Okuninushi-no-okami (more commonly known as Daikokusama).
Okuninushi-no-okami and a white hare
Throughout the shrine, there are several statues of Daikokusama. This statue, with Daikokusama and a white hare, is based on the legend “The Hare of Inaba”. The story is about a white hare that gets its skin ripped off by a shark, and Daikokusama helps the hare out. It showcases the kindness that Daikokusama has for all creatures.
Hare statues
On the shrine grounds, there are 46 hare statues total. They all have different poses and expressions, so keep your eye out for them!
Izumo Taisha and Matchmaking
According to legend, Okuninushi-no-okami was told by a fellow god, Amaterasu-omikami, to give him his land. In exchange, Amaterasu-omikami built him the Izumo Grand Shrine.
Okuninushi-no-okami then decided it was important for him to govern something that only he could do. He wanted to make sure that all people were interconnected through happiness. Because of this, Okuninushi-no-okami was coined as the “god of matchmaking”.
The four torii gates
There are four torii gates near the shrine. It is said that going through these four gates will bring you happiness.
The first gate locates in the town. The second can be found on a small hill, next to a monument with the words “Izumo Taisha 出雲大社” on it.
Second torii gate
As you walk through the second torii and head towards the shrine’s prayer halls, you will find gates three and four. All four gates are made from different materials – the first one of stone, the second of wood, the third of steel and the fourth of bronze.
How to pray at Izumo Taisha
People praying at Izumo Taisha
At most Japanese shrines, the correct way to pray is to bow twice, place your hands together twice and to bow one more time at the end. However, at Izumo Taisha, you are supposed to bow twice, place your hands together four times and to bow once at the end.
This praying style comes from the shrine’s main festival, held once a year. During the festival, you are supposed to place your hands together eight times, and the number if halved for the rest of the year. It is meant to show respect to the deities.
2. Yaegaki Shrine
Yaegaki Shrine
Yaegaki Shrine locates in Shimane’s capital city of Matsue. The shrine is said to be where the legend of Yamata-no-orochi took place.
In the legend, Yamata-no-orochi, an 8-headed dragon, was hiding the goddess Kushinada-hime in the forest as he planned on sacrificing her. Susano-no-mikoto, the god of sea and storms, made Yamata-no-orochi drink a heavy load of alcohol, and successfully defeated him.
After being saved,
Kushinadaa Hime married Susano-no-mikoto, which is considered the first marriage in Japan. Because of this, Yaegaki Shrine is a popular wedding spot as well. At the shrine, you can purchase good luck charms for matchmaking.
Matchmaking fortune telling at Kagami-ike Pond
At the rear end of Yaegaki Shrine, you can find Kagami-ike Pond. The pond is said to be used as a mirror in the legend.
Here, you can try out the matchmaking omikuji (fortune telling).
Kagami-ike Pond
First, purchase the omikuji paper at the shrine shop. Then head to Kagami-ike Pond.
Unfold the omikuji paper and float it onto the pond. Place a 10-yen or 100-yen coin on the surface of the paper. After being in the water for a while, letters will start to pop up on thee paper. During the process, make a wish. The paper should sink down into the pond after a while.
It is said that if it took less than 15 minutes for the paper to sink, you will encounter your fated person soon. If it took more than thirty minutes, you won’t encounter your fated person for a while.
Also, if the paper sinks near you, it is said that your fated person is nearby. If it sinks a bit further away, then it means that they are far.
3. Susa Shrine
Susa Shrine
Susa Shrine, located in the city of Izumo, enshrines the deity Susano-no-mikoto. His wife, Kushinada-hime, and her parents, are also enshrined here. It is said that he named the land after himself, as he had a deep appreciation for it.
There are quite a few shrines in Japan that enshrine Susano-no-mikoto, but this is the only one enshrining his soul. This shrine too, is also a popular wedding spot.
1,300-year-old cedar
1,300 year-old cedar tree
This 1,300 year-old cedar tree is considered to have spiritual powers. It locates behind the main hall.
This massive tree measures 21 meters tall. The tree trunk has a circumference of 6 meters, and the circumference around the roots measure 9 meters. Pray to the tree for some luck in matchmaking!
4. Tamatsukuriyu Shrine
Tamatsukuriyu Shrine Entrance
Tamatsukuriyu Shrine, located in northeastern Shimane, is said to enshrine three deities, including the deity of hot springs. The shrine has history dating back to the Nara Period (710 – 794).
It is said that touching the negai-ishi (wishing rock) in the shrine premise will grant your wishes. People from all over Japan who want to grant their wishes gather at this rock.
How to wish at the negai-ishi
Negai-ishi
First, buy the kanai-ishi (granting rock) at the shrine shop. It will come with the rock, a bag for the rock and a wishing slip.
Next, wash and purify your hands at the chozuya (water pavilion). Then, you can head to the negai-ishi.
Take your kanai-ishi out, and cleanse it with the water. Place your rock to touch the negai-ishi, and make your wish.
Head back to the shrine shop, and take out one of the two wishing slips. Write your wish and your name on one, and place it into the designated box. Take the other slip home with your kanai-ishi.
Know the shrines’ rules and rituals!
Each of the shrines introduced have different praying styles and wishing rituals. Make sure to learn about them before visiting so you can wish without any worries.
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