Omiwa Shrine
One of Japan's oldest shrines, whose sacred body is Mount Miwa itself.
History and Divine Virtue
Among the oldest shrines in Japan, Omiwa Shrine preserves the primordial form of kami worship: Mount Miwa itself is the sacred body of the deity, and with no main hall, prayers are offered to the mountain through the triple torii gate behind the worship hall. Its deity, Omononushi no Okami, appears in the ancient chronicles as a god of nation-building, and has been widely worshipped as guardian of every industry from agriculture to commerce, as a protector against inauspicious directions, as a deity of en-musubi (the tying of destined bonds), and as the god of sake brewing. The sugidama — cedar balls hung under the eaves of sake breweries — are said to derive from the shrine's sacred cedar. As ichinomiya of Yamato Province, it was deeply revered by the imperial court. The nade-usagi, a bronze rabbit before the assembly hall, is affectionately said to ease the body's aches when stroked. At the auxiliary Sai Shrine, worshippers may receive sacred water, and the trailhead for the ascent of Mount Miwa is located there (registration is required to climb). Each November, sake brewers from across the country attend the festival of prayer for safe brewing.
Visiting Notes
- Worship Mount Miwa through the triple torii behind the worship hall — an experience of the ancient rite that needs no main hall.
- At the medicine well of the auxiliary Sai Shrine, you may receive the sacred kusuri-mizu, or healing water.
- The ascent of Mount Miwa is registered at Sai Shrine. The mountain is sacred ground; observe the rules, including the prohibition on photography.
- The great torii on the approach stands about 32 meters tall, visible from across the town of Miwa.
Deities and Location
- Enshrined Deities
- Ōmononushi no Ōkami
- Location
- 奈良県桜井市三輪 (Nara)
- Access
- About a 5-minute walk from Miwa Station on the JR Manyo-Mahoroba Line
Visiting hours, goshuin (shrine stamps), and festival dates change; please confirm the latest information through each shrine's official announcements. If you find an error in this entry, we would be grateful if you let us know.
