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Omiwa Shrine, Sakurai

4.4

#2 of 35 in Things to do in Sakurai

Religious Site Tourist Spot

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Explore one of the oldest Shinto shrines in the land, Omiwa Shrine--notable for its lack of sacred images or objects, it honors the mountain on which it stands. Wander the peaceful grounds, nestled in the trees, with an ancient Japanese cedar here considered as sacred. The main hall of worship stands purposefully empty, reflecting the sensibility of the Kofun period (250 to 538 CE): since the mountain itself is venerated, the trees are protected and grow densely upon it. Pilgrims can climb the mountain, but need to apply at the adjacent Sai Jinja and must wearing a white sash while doing so, after going through a Shinto ritual. Work out when and for how long to visit Omiwa Shrine and other Sakurai attractions using our handy Sakurai day trip planning app.

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Omiwa Shrine Reviews

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TripAdvisor Traveler Rating

320 reviews

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4.3

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23 likes

• By kirstine2013

  We were so happy to visit this beautiful shrine in the early evening with lights lining the stairs up to the main shrine. As it was drizzling the monks immediately ran out to provide a canopy for us.....  more »

• By Helena G

  What we really enjoy was the atmosphere of the place, the path in the forest going through all the shrines and temples, very beautiful, quiet...  more »

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