Kumano Taisha

Kumano Taisha is a venerable shrine that has gathered devoted faith since ancient times as the Ichinomiya of Izumo Province. Enshrining Susanoo no Mikoto as its main deity, it is also called Hinomoto Hide-some no Yashiro, the shrine where the sacred fire was first lit in Japan. Said to be even older than Izumo Taisha, this ancient shrine hosts the fire-succession ritual to Izumo Taisha every October. As a sacred site of Izumo Province where eight clouds rise, it is a special place where one can feel the sacred atmosphere that has continued from the age of mythology to the present day.