Izumo Taisha Shrine

Izumo Taisha Shrine, officially known as Izumo Oyashiro, is a Shinto shrine in mid-eastern Shimane. It is one of the most important and oldest shrines in Shinto, with records of the shrine dating as far back as 712.
The shrine is said to bring luck in matchmaking, specifically for marriage.
At most shrines, one will pray by bowing twice, clapping twice and bowing once at the end. However, at Izumo Taisha, one is supposed to bow twice, clap four times and bow once.
The giant sacred rope, called, shimenawa, is a sight you can’t miss at Izumo Taisha. The rope measures 13.6 meters long and weighs 5 tons and is the largest of its kind in Japan.
Every October of the lunar calendar (usually between the end of October and early December), the shrine festival is held.  Many visitors come to pray at Izumo Taisha during this time.