Omi Shrine [Miyazaki]

【Omi Shrine summary】

Omi Shrine is said to have originated when Ninigi no Mikoto enshrined Amaterasu Omikami and prayed for peace as he gazed at the magnificent view of the ocean during his descent (transit). The date of the shrine’s founding is unknown, but if the legend is to be believed, it is assumed to have been built around the 4th century Yayoi period (400 B.C.). The rock cave (dragon spirit) of Udo Shrine in the precincts of the shrine preserves the Jomon-era belief in the dragon god, so it is possible that Ninigi no Mikoto visited this place, which was an ancient ritual site, to worship Amaterasu.

The name of the shrine is said to have been taken from the Omi of Amaterasu Omikami, but in the past it was also called Amaterasu Kouta Jingu.

The deity is Amaterasu no Mikami, the deity of the Ise Jingu Shrine.

Jingu (Inner Shrine of Ise Jingu) [Mie]

【Omi Shrine torii】

The torii gate can be seen immediately from the large parking lot. It is believed to have been set up so that visitors enter from the north.

【Omi Shrine scenery】

The Oomikami Shrine feels open because of the white gravel all over and the absence of forest and tree plantings.

Adjacent to the open sea of the Sea of Hyuga, it offers a good view and a superb view of giant rocks and columnar joints.

【Omi Shrine main building (of a shrine)】

Located on a large rock adjacent to the coast, it is not particularly large, but it is imposing. The present shrine was completely reconstructed in October 1938 (Showa 13), using wood from the grounds of shrines in the Takachiho area as building materials. It is registered as a Tangible Cultural Property of Japan.

【Omi Shrine pebbles that grow into a large rock】

Although pebbles that grow into a large rock are found throughout Japan, this is the largest group of pebbles that grow into a large rock in Japan, including the surrounding area. The pebble stones were discovered in 2003, when the temple grounds were being expanded and they were found among the trees.

If you ask me if pebbles that grow into a large rock…I think it was a ritual place.

【Omi Shrine precincts Udo Shrine】

Udo Shrine is located in a sea-eroded cave within the precincts of Omi Shrine. This rock cave is thought to have been a place of worship of the dragon god during the Jomon period, about 5,000 years ago. Historically, it is thought to be older than the Omi Shrine and to have been a place of ancient rituals.

The deities enshrined are Ninigi no Mikoto, Hikohohodemi no Mikoto and Toyotama-hime no Mikoto, Ugayafuwashi no Mikoto (father of the first emperor), and Shihotsuchi no Mikoto.

【Udo Shrine Dragon’s Palace】

The cave is located at the bottom of a steep slope from the Omi Shrine along the approach to the sea.

Standing in front of the shrine at the back of the cave and looking back at the entrance, one can see a white dragon ascending to heaven.

Udo Jingu Shrine [Miyazaki]

Aoshima Shrine [Miyazaki]

There are many shrines erected along the coast of Miyazaki Prefecture, and they all have a long history.

【Omi Shrine Nearby attractions】

Hayakawa Shrine、Saitobaru Burial Mounds、Miyazaki Jingu Shrine

Saitobaru Burial Mounds [Miyazaki]

Miyazaki Jingu Shrine and Miyazaki Gokoku Shrine [Miyazaki]

【Omi Shrine Access】

Manager’s Comments

While Udo Shrine and Aoshima Shrine are well-known and visited by many Japanese, I had the impression that many foreign visitors came to this shrine to enjoy the scenery on bus tours. It is a pity that there is not much information about the shrines in the area, but I thought that many Japanese people should visit these shrines.

Site/Facility Size

 (4)

Richness of Nature

 (4)

Ease of access

 (2.5)

Number of tourists

 (4)

Omi Shrine

1 Nichiya, Hyuga, Miyazaki 883-0062, Japan

※Free parking available.

About 10 minutes drive from JR Hyuga Station.

参考

大御神社　【公式サイト】

関連投稿(Related Posts):

Udo Jingu Shrine [Miyazaki] Miyazaki Jingu Shrine and Miyazaki Gokoku Shrine [Miyazaki] Aoshima Shrine [Miyazaki] Hayahirakitohiuri Shrine [Miyazaki]