Ogamiyama Shrine – Okumiya (Inner Sanctuary)— The Spiritual Center of Daisen Worship —

The Gongen‑zukuri shrine building, regarded as one of the largest of its kind in Japan, extends approximately fifty meters on each side.
It features an exceptionally rare architectural style in which the main sanctuary, offering hall, worship hall, and connecting corridors form a single unified structure.
How such a massive shrine could have been constructed in this harsh mountain terrain, in an age without vehicles or heavy machinery, remains a mystery to this day.
It is an outstanding example of late‑Edo period shrine architecture that reflects the deep devotion associated with the worship of Mount Daisen.

Inside the main sanctuary, the front round pillars and the side half‑round pillars are finished with one of the largest applications of sandalwood lacquer in Japan.
These are surrounded by intricate carvings and murals of celestial maidens.
In addition, the coffered ceiling is adorned with 234 ceiling paintings, adding vibrant color to the interior of the Okumiya.
Alongside motifs of flowers, birds, and the changing seasons, many human figures are also depicted, offering a glimpse into the lives of the people at the time of the shrine’s construction.
All annual rituals and prayer services are conducted at this site.

It is a technique in which silver leaf is applied and then coated with transparent lacquer, producing a distinctive copper-like hue through the resulting chemical reaction.
Although this technique is sometimes used for transoms and other decorative elements, an example on this scale is extremely rare.

Among octagonal portable shrines, it is said to be the largest in Western Japan.
Since the Heian period, the Daisen Sacred Procession has been held, with seven portable shrines taking part each time.
Among them, this portable shrine is the largest.
It is said to require between forty and fifty bearers.
The sacred procession continued until 1885, but it has not been held since.
In addition to its impressive size, the shrine is richly decorated, and its upper section features the same sandalwood‑lacquer technique used in the Heiden.
Restoration Completed in October 2002
Style: Ryōbu Shintō Style
Height: 3.2 meters
Weight: 1 ton
Carrying Pole: 5.6 meters

The Shinmon stands at the end of the approach.It is known as the “Ushiro-muki Gate.”It is also called the “Reverse-facing Gate.”
With a locking bar mounted on the outside to prevent the doors from opening,、Originally the front gate of the Saigaku‑in at Daisenji Temple, it was transferred to the shrine and installed here at the Inner Sanctuary without changing its orientation, which is why it now faces the opposite direction.

The stone‑paved approach, said to be the longest natural‑stone path in Japan and located on the mountainside of Mt. Daisen amid its native forest,
With each step you take, you will feel both your mind and body grow more purified, and a deepening sense of the sacred as you approach the shrine.
The seasonal flowers and the flowing spring water from Mt. Daisen gently guide visitors toward the Inner Sanctuary.

In winter, the approach is covered in snow, forming a pure white path.
The silver‑white landscape offers a quiet world far removed from the noise of the town.
The winter approach, purified and whitened by snow, is breathtakingly beautiful, and its scale is truly awe‑inspiring.

Please note that we may not be able to provide guidance when the Heiden is in use for rituals or prayers.

For further details, please inquire at the Inner Sanctuary Amulet Office.

Victory in Fortune, Protection from Misfortune, and Healing from Illness