What architectural style is Omoto Shrine known for?

The shrine features traditional Shinto architecture with a serene, natural setting, including a large torii gate and several smaller structures.

Can visitors enter the Omoto Shrine buildings?

Visitors can explore the shrine grounds and view the buildings from the outside, but certain inner areas may be restricted to priests and during specific ceremonies.

What makes Omoto Shrine unique compared to other shrines on Miyajima Island?

Omoto Shrine is known for its tranquil atmosphere and scenic location near the forest and coastline, offering a peaceful retreat from the more visited sites.

Is there an entrance fee for Omoto Shrine?

No, entrance to Omoto Shrine is free, making it an accessible destination for all visitors.

What is the best way to reach Omoto Shrine?

The shrine can be reached by walking or taking a short bus ride from the Miyajima ferry terminal. It is less than a 30-minute walk through beautiful forested paths.

Omoto Shrine

4.1 (85)Shinto ShrineTourist AttractionPlace Of WorshipAssociation Or OrganizationPoint Of InterestEstablishment

Last updated Jun 7, 2026

Omoto Shrine on Miyajima Island is a hidden gem that bursts with natural beauty and spiritual significance. As you step through the iconic Torii gate, you're immediately enveloped by the serene atmosphere. The shrine is surrounded by towering cedar trees, some over a thousand years old, their ancient presence adding to the mystical feel.

The main hall is simple yet profound, blending seamlessly with the lush greenery. This shrine is dedicated to Omoto, a deity known for protection and good fortune. A sacred rock near the shrine is a focal point where visitors leave offerings and prayers, seeking blessings and peace.

Walking the stone paths, you feel a deep sense of tranquility. The air is filled with the gentle rustling of leaves and the distant murmur of a stream, creating a soothing soundtrack to your visit. Omoto Shrine isn’t just about the structures; it’s about the harmony between man-made beauty and nature.

Seasonal festivals bring the shrine to life with traditional ceremonies that offer a glimpse into ancient Japanese culture. Locals in vibrant kimonos participate in these age-old rituals, adding a splash of color and energy to the serene setting.

The surrounding area is equally enchanting. The lush forest, tranquil streams, and distant views of the Seto Inland Sea provide a perfect escape from the modern world. It’s an ideal spot for reflection and meditation, where the spiritual and natural worlds merge effortlessly.

Traveler reviews

To be honest, when I got to the Shrine, I was like "this can't be the thing" but it was hahahaha just about two buildings one next to the other, and one Tori Gate basically... It must be super beautiful in Spring probably because there are a lot of trees sorrounding it

Sergio Ruiz

Aug 31, 2019

This is a lower level spot within in an area of spectacular places. I would recommend it as a spot to orient yourself to take walk other great spots in area.

Small little shrine near a forest path. Stunning and beautiful coniferous woods. The shrine had some reconstruction happening. Still, a beautiful place.

While Miyajima is most famous for Itsukushima Shrine, there are many other shrines on the island, including subsidiary shrines, and they enshrine many powerful deities... This Oomoto Shrine is said to have existed even before the founding of Itsukushima Shrine. The enshrined deities are as follows: 1) Kunitokotachi-no-Mikoto: The first of the seven generations of gods, who existed even before the birth of the Munakata Three Goddesses, the deities enshrined at Itsukushima Shrine (according to the Nihon Shoki and Kojiki). In Ise Shinto, this is the primordial deity, the very original god, enshrined here. 2) Oyamatsumi-no-Kami: A mountain god and god of sake brewing, a brother of Amaterasu-Omikami. 3) Ukemochi-no-Kami: The goddess who presides over food and grains, the origin of human sustenance. And as a co-enshrined deity, Saeki Kurashiki, the first chief priest of the Itsukushima Shrine family, is enshrined. There isn't a temple grounds; it simply stands quietly in Omoto Park, right next to the Miyajima Mori no Yado National Inn. Visitors are welcome to offer their greetings and express their gratitude for the blessings they receive.

April 1, 2026 Located opposite Nagahama Shrine, also on Miyajima Island, it forms the two wings of Itsukushima Shrine, and both shrines hold their annual Kangensai festival in June, with ceremonies taking place on boats. The unique long-board roofing technique, known as "Oomoto-buki," is apparently rare and can only be seen at Oomoto Shrine throughout Japan.