Complete Guide to Izumo Taisha Shrine Office
The Izumo Taisha Shrine office is an important point of contact for visitors, offering services such as the issuance of Goshuin (shrine stamps) and amulets, and reception for prayers. This article provides a detailed explanation of how to use the office, points to note during your visit, and access information.
Basic Information on Izumo Taisha Shrine Office
What is a Shrine Office?
The shrine office is where administrative matters of the shrine are handled. Izumo Taisha Shrine offers the following services:
- Issuance of Goshuin: Stamping in your Goshuincho (stamp book) as proof of your visit
- Issuance of Amulets and Talismans: Various amulets, including those for matchmaking
- Reception of Prayer Requests: Prayers for matchmaking, family safety, business prosperity, etc.
- Guidance on Visiting the Shrine: Formal worship etiquette and guidance on the shrine grounds
Reception Hours/Opening Hours
The Izumo Taisha Shrine office is open year-round, but reception hours vary depending on the season.
- March-October: 6:00-20:00
- November-February: 6:30-20:00
- Prayer Reception: 8:30-16:30 (Last reception 16:00)
Note: Hours may be extended during the first three days of the New Year and during major festivals. We recommend checking the official website in advance.
About the Issuance of Goshuin (Shrine Seals) and Amulets
Types of Goshuin and Offering Fees
Izumo Taisha Shrine offers the following Goshuin:
- Izumo Taisha Main Shrine: Offering fee 300 yen
- Subsidiary Shrines: Available at some subsidiary shrines such as Kitajima Kokuzokan
- Special Goshuin (Shrine Seal): May be available only on special days such as the annual festival
Reception Location: The office to the right of the main hall
Tips for Avoiding Crowds: Visiting early in the morning (8:00-9:00) or on weekdays is recommended. Waiting times can exceed one hour during Golden Week and New Year’s.
Popular Amulets and Items
Izumo Taisha is known as the “God of Matchmaking,” and the following amulets are particularly popular.
Enmusubi Mamori (Love Charm)
- Offering Fee: 1,000 yen
- Features: Believed to bring good fortune not only in romantic relationships but also in work and friendships.
- Design: Often given as a set of two, red and white.
Shiawase no Suzu (Bell of Happiness)
- Offering Fee: 1,000 yen
- Features: A lucky charm modeled after the bells used by shrine maidens in Kagura (Shinto ritual dance).
- How to Use: Carry it attached to a bag, etc.
Enmusubi Ito (Love Thread)
- Offering Fee: 500 yen
- Features: Red and white silk thread, used for sewing onto clothing or making small items.
- Origin: A thread that has been considered a symbol of “tying ties” since ancient times.
Other items such as Goshinsuna (purifying sand), Enmusubi Ema (votive tablets for love), and Goshinfuda (amulets) are also available.
About Prayers and Sorrows
Types of Prayers and Offering Fees
Izumo Taisha Shrine accepts prayers from both individuals and groups.
Main Prayer Services:
- Prayer for Finding a Partner: ¥5,000~
- Prayer for Family Safety: ¥5,000~
- Prayer for Business Prosperity: ¥5,000~
- Prayer for Protection from Evil: ¥5,000~
- Prayer for Safe Childbirth: ¥5,000~
- Prayer for Traffic Safety: ¥5,000~
How to Receive Prayer
- Registration: Fill out the application form at the shrine office and pay the offering fee.
- Waiting: Wait at the designated location.
- Entering the Hall: Enter the main hall guided by the Shinto priest.
- Prayer: Receive a prayer for approximately 20-30 minutes.
- Gift: After the prayer, you will receive a talisman or amulet.
Reservation: Reservations are generally not required, but advance notice is recommended for groups (20 or more people).
Points and Etiquette for Worship
Unique Worship Etiquette of Izumo Taisha Shrine
Izumo Taisha Shrine uses a different worship etiquette than typical shrines: “Two bows, four claps, one bow“.
Correct Worship Procedure
- Bow at the Torii Gate: Bow at the torii gate before entering the shrine grounds.
- Purify at the Water Basin: Left hand → Right hand → Mouth → Left hand with ladle
- Worship in Front of the Main Hall:
- Two bows (bowing deeply twice)
- Four claps (clapping hands four times)
- One bow (bowing deeply once)
Effective Worship Route
The grounds of Izumo Taisha Shrine are vast. Following the following route will allow you to efficiently visit the main locations.
Recommended Route (Estimated Time: Approx. 60-90 minutes):
- Seidamari: Start from the large torii gate at the main entrance.
- Harae-no-Yashiro: Purify your mind and body at this small shrine along the approach to the shrine.
- Temizuya: Purify your hands and mouth before the bronze torii gate.
- Haiden: First, pray at the Haiden (worship hall).
- Honden: Worship the Honden (main shrine) from the Hassokumon gate (normally, you cannot enter).
- Soga-no-Yashiro: The most powerful spiritual spot behind the Honden.
- Kagura-den: See the largest shimenawa (sacred rope) in Japan.
- Shamusho: Receive Goshuin (shrine stamps) and amulets.
Power Spots You Can’t Miss
Soga Shrine
Located directly behind the main shrine, this subsidiary shrine enshrines Susanoo-no-Mikoto. It is considered the most powerful spiritual spot within Izumo Taisha Shrine.
- Benefits: Protection from evil, healing from illness, purification
- Custom of Sacred Sand: There is a custom of exchanging the sacred sand received at the main hall for sand from the Suga Shrine.
Large Shimenawa (sacred rope) of the Kagura Hall
- Size: Length 13.6m, Weight 5.2 tons
- Features: One of the largest shimenawa in Japan, replaced every few years
- Photo Spot: A popular spot for commemorative photos
Benefits of Izumo Taisha Shrine
Benefits for Matchmaking
The main deity of Izumo Taisha Shrine, Okuninushi-no-Okami, is a god of nation-building who appears in the Kojiki and Nihon Shoki, and is widely worshipped as the “god of matchmaking.”
Origin of Matchmaking:
According to legend, in the tenth month of the lunar calendar (Kannazuki), the eight million gods of Japan gather at Izumo Taisha Shrine to discuss matchmaking, making it a sacred place for matchmaking. In the Izumo region, the month of Kannazuki (the month without gods) is called “Kamiarizuki” (the month with gods).
Scope of Connections:
- Relationships between men and women (love and marriage)
- Business relationships (employment and business partners)
- Relationships with friends and acquaintances
- Relationships with land and objects
Other Main Benefits
- Family Safety: Health and peaceful living for the family
- Business Prosperity: Success and development of business
- Protection from Evil: Protection from disasters
- Healing from Illness: Recovery of health and healing from illness
- Abundant Harvest: Abundant harvests in agriculture and fishing
Access Information
Access by Train
From JR Izumo City Station
Using Ichibata Bus:
- Route: Bound for Izumo Taisha, Hinomisaki, and Uryu
- Travel Time: Approximately 25 minutes
- Fare: Adult 520 yen, Child 260 yen
- Disembarking Stop: “Izumo Taisha” or “Main Gate”
- Service Frequency: 2-3 trains per hour
Taxi Travel:
- Travel Time: Approximately 20 minutes
- Estimated Fare: Approximately 3,000 yen
Ichibata Electric Railway Travel:
To Izumo Taisha-mae Station:
- JR Izumo-shi Station → Dentetsu Izumo-shi Station (3-minute walk) → Transfer at Kawato Station → Izumo Taisha-mae Station
- Travel Time: Approximately 40 minutes
- Fare: 490 yen
- From Station to Shrine Office: Approximately 7-minute walk
Advantages: Enjoy a retro train journey. The Izumo Taisha-mae station building is a nationally registered tangible cultural property.
Access by Car
Using Expressways
Via San’in Expressway:
- Izumo IC → National Route 431 → Izumo Taisha Shrine
- Travel Time: Approximately 20 minutes
Via Chugoku Expressway:
- Miyoshi IC → National Route 54 → Matsue → Izumo Taisha Shrine
- Travel Time: Approximately 2 hours 30 minutes
Parking Information
Main Parking Lots Around Izumo Taisha Shrine:
- Izumo Taisha Shrine Parking Lot (Free)
- Capacity: Approximately 385 cars
- Operating Hours: 6:00 AM – 8:00 PM
- Location: 5-minute walk from Shinmon-dori Street
- Misen Hiroba Parking Lot (Free)
- Capacity: Approximately 200 cars
- Accommodates large buses
- Private Parking Lots Around Shinmon-dori Street
- Fee: Approximately 500 yen per day
- During peak seasons, the parking lot tends to fill up quickly.
Important Note: It gets extremely crowded during the first three days of the New Year, Golden Week, and the annual festival period. Using public transportation is recommended.
Access by Airplane
From Izumo Enmusubi Airport:
- Airport Shuttle Bus: to Izumo City Station (approx. 30 minutes, 900 yen)
- Taxi: approx. 35 minutes directly to Izumo Taisha Shrine, approx. 5,000 yen
- Rental Car: Counters for various companies are available at the airport.
Nearby Tourist Attractions
Shinmon-dori Street
A street developed as a temple town for Izumo Taisha Shrine, lined with souvenir shops and restaurants.
- Local Specialties: Izumo soba noodles, the birthplace of zenzai (sweet red bean soup)
- Souvenirs: Enmusubi chopsticks, magatama (comma-shaped bead) accessories
- Estimated Time Required: 30-60 minutes for a stroll
Inasa Beach
A beach located approximately 1km west of Izumo Taisha Shrine. This is a sacred place, considered the setting for the myth of the transfer of the land.
- Highlights: The torii gate of Bentenjima Island
- Sacred Sand: It is customary to take sand from this beach and exchange it for sand at Suga Shrine.
- Access: 15-minute walk from Izumo Taisha Shrine, or 5-minute bus ride.
Hinomisaki Shrine and Hinomisaki Lighthouse
A scenic spot located approximately 8km northwest of Izumo Taisha Shrine.
- Hinomisaki Shrine: A beautiful vermilion-lacquered shrine known as “Hishizumi-no-miya” (Sun-Setting Palace)
- Hinomisaki Lighthouse: A stone lighthouse boasting the tallest height in Japan at 43.65m
- Access: Approximately 20 minutes by bus from Izumo Taisha Shrine
Notes and Manners for Visiting
Regarding Attire
- Formal Visit: If receiving prayers, it is desirable to wear attire that is not too casual.
- General Visit: There are no specific dress code regulations, but please avoid revealing clothing.
- Shoes: Since there are many gravel paths on the shrine grounds, comfortable walking shoes are recommended.
Photography Manners
- No Photography Areas: Photography is strictly prohibited inside the main hall and during prayers.
- Permitted Areas: Photography is permitted in the publicly accessible areas of the shrine grounds.
- Consideration: Please be considerate of other visitors.
Other Manners
- How to walk along the approach to the shrine: Walk along the sides, as the center is considered the path of the gods.
- Bringing pets: As a general rule, please refrain from bringing pets into the shrine grounds.
- Smoking: Smoking is prohibited throughout the shrine grounds.
Summary: A fulfilling visit utilizing the Izumo Taisha Shrine office
The Izumo Taisha Shrine office is not just an office; it is an important window connecting worshippers and the gods. You can gain a deeper worship experience through the granting of goshuin (shrine stamps) and amulets, and by accepting prayer requests.
Points to remember when visiting:
- Avoid crowds by visiting early in the morning.
- Follow the “two bows, four claps, one bow” ritual.
- Visit major spots such as the Suga Shrine.
- Receive goshuin and amulets at the shrine office.
- Visit surrounding spots such as Inasa Beach.
To receive the maximum blessings for matchmaking, observe the correct etiquette and manners, and worship with a sincere heart. We hope your trip to Izumo Taisha Shrine will be an opportunity for you to find good fortune in love.
