A slightly otherworldly shrine where the mountain itself is enshrined as a god 🇯🇵✈️🌎

"Huh? The atmosphere is somehow different..." - this is the impression that everyone who visits Omiwa Shrine for the first time says 🇯🇵✈️🌏 For those of you who are not satisfied with just visiting tourist spots. There is a slightly other-dimensional shrine in Nara that enshrines "the mountain itself" to the god. It is a quiet and deep experience that begins the moment you pass through the torii gate. In this article, we will introduce five reasons why you should visit Omiwa Shrine and some interesting trivia that you will want to tell someone about. If you think it is "just a shrine", you will be pleasantly surprised. 1. The sacred object is the "mountain" itself. That is why there is no main hall. Omiwa Shrine does not have a main hall. This is because the sacred object is Mt. Miwa itself. The existence of the gods is not confined to a building, but is revered in nature itself - such a primitive belief will move your heart. 💡It is one of the oldest shrines in Japan and is also called "the origin of shrines". 2. Climbing Mt. Miwa is a special experience of "stepping into a sacred area." Only those who have permission can enter the sacred Mt. Miwa. Photography and private conversations are prohibited during the climb, and the tranquility is such that the mind and body are purified. 💡The climb begins after receiving a white sash at the reception and signing a pledge. It is truly a time to "face God." 3. The fresh air that permeates the grounds. Your five senses are sharpened. The approach surrounded by giant cedar trees, the sound of bells swaying in the wind, the moss-covered cobblestones...all of these things bring your mind back to the "here and now." 💡Ogami Shrine is also known as the "Shrine of Ki" and is known as a power spot. 4. Matchmaking, prosperity in business, prayers for good health...there are many benefits! The main deity, Omononushi no Okami, is the god who governs all things. The wide range of benefits is also reflected in the large number of visitors. 💡 As the god helped Okuninushi-no-Mikoto achieve a "happy marriage," the shrine also has the benefit of matchmaking. 5. As the birthplace of Miwa somen, there are plenty of things to enjoy after worship. The area around Ogami Shrine is the birthplace of the famous "Miwa somen." You can enjoy the gentle taste of the noodles, nurtured by the pure water and climate, locally. 💡 The history of Miwa somen dates back more than 1,200 years. It is said that in ancient times, it was one of the sacred offerings made to the gods. ⸻ It's not flashy. But there is something that lingers in the depths of your heart. Ogami Shrine is more of a place for "encounters" than sightseeing. Please come and experience its silence and presence for yourself. #EnjoyJapan #Nara #DomesticTravel