By ando 
Omiwa Jinja, located in Sakurai City, Nara Prefecture, pronounced “O-miwa,” is one of Japan’s oldest and most prominent shrines, dedicated to a “great kami” as its name suggests. It is renowned for preserving the primeval form of Shinto worship, having no main sanctuary (honden) but instead revering Mount Miwa itself, which rises behind the shrine, as its go-shintai (sacred body of a kami).
Basic Information
The principal kami enshrined at Omiwa Jinja is Omononushi no Okami (pronounced O-mononushi no O-kami). Omononushi no Okami is widely revered as a guardian kami for all aspects of human life, including nation-building, development across all industries (agriculture, manufacturing, commerce), protection from misfortune, healing illnesses, sake brewing, medicine production, and matchmaking. Additionally, Onamuchi no Kami and Sukunahikona no Kami are enshrined as secondary kami.
Omiwa Jinja is believed to have been founded in prehistoric times, with its history documented in the myths of the Kojiki and Nihon Shoki. It is said that the shrine’s origin dates back to when Omononushi no Okami appeared before Okuninushi no Kami of Izumo and expressed the wish to be enshrined on Mount Miwa, stating, “Enshrine me on the verdant eastern mountain of Yamato.”
Mount Miwa Worship and Kinzokuchi
The most significant feature of Omiwa Jinja is that Mount Miwa itself, with an elevation of 467.1 meters, is revered as the go-shintai. For this reason, it does not have a honden (main sanctuary) like most jinja. Instead, it preserves an ancient form of worship where visitors pray to Mount Miwa through the Mitsu-torii (triple torii gate) located behind the haiden (hall of worship).
Mount Miwa has been a “kinzokuchi,” a sacred restricted area where entry has been strictly limited since ancient times, as it is believed to be where kami reside. Even today, it is possible to make a sacred climb (tohai) by registering at the auxiliary shrine (sessha), Sai Jinja. However, the mountain is rich in nature and home to various creatures, including falling branches, ticks, and horseflies, so proper equipment and physical preparation are essential. Furthermore, photography and eating or drinking are prohibited on the mountain, and it is also considered taboo to speak of what one has seen there.
Legends, Mysteries, and Blessings
Omiwa Jinja is steeped in numerous legends and mysteries passed down through generations.
Legend of Omononushi no Okami and the Serpent Kami
There is a legend that Omononushi no Okami transforms into a serpent, and within the shrine grounds stands a sacred tree called Minokamisugi (Divine Cedar of the Serpent). It is believed that a white serpent, deeply connected to the enshrined kami, resides in this cedar, and worshippers have a custom of offering eggs, which are favored by white serpents. The serpent is affectionately called “Mi-san” and revered as a spiritual entity that brings good fortune and prosperity.
Kami of Sake Brewing
The Nihon Shoki records a legend that during the reign of Emperor Sujin, Takahashi no Ikuhi no Mikoto brewed exquisite sake overnight with the divine assistance of Omononushi no Okami. For this reason, Omiwa Jinja is also revered as the kami of sake brewing, and every year on November 14th, the Jozo Anzen Kigan-sai (Sake Festival) is held, during which new sugidama (sakebayashi, cedar balls) are hung. It is believed that this custom of hanging sugidama spread to sake breweries across Japan.
Mount Miwa Legend and the Odama-ki Thread
The Kojiki tells a legend in which Ikutamayorihime, seeking to discover the true identity of a man who visited her every night, threaded a needle with hemp string and pierced it through the hem of his clothing. Following the thread, she arrived at Mount Miwa. It is said that the name “Miwa” (meaning “three windings”) came from the three windings of hemp thread remaining on the spool.
Kami Who Quelled Epidemics
During a major epidemic in the era of Emperor Sujin, a legend states that the plague subsided due to a divine oracle from Omononushi no Okami. For this reason, the kami is also worshipped as a kami of medicine.
Connection to Rabbits
Since Omononushi no Okami, the enshrined kami, is considered to be the same kami as Okuninushi no Mikoto, who saved the White Hare of Inaba, the shrine is believed to have a deep connection with rabbits. In the Sanshuden (assembly hall), there is a “nade usagi” (stroking rabbit) statue, and it is said that stroking it brings good luck and relieves physical pain.
Omiwa Jinja is believed to offer a wide range of blessings, including nation-building, industrial development, traffic safety, maritime safety, matchmaking, healing illnesses, medicine production, warding off evil, and protection from misfortune related to directions. In particular, because Mount Miwa itself is the go-shintai, it is also called one of Japan’s top five most powerful spiritual power spots.
Shrine Grounds and Auxiliary Shrines
Within the vast shrine grounds, numerous auxiliary shrines (sessha and massha) are scattered in addition to the haiden. For example, Sai Jinja, which also serves as the entrance for climbing Mount Miwa, is known as a kami of medicine and enshrines the aratama (rough spirit) of the kami of Miwa. There is also Daigyoji-sha, worshipped as a guardian kami of markets, especially for the market price of Miwa Somen noodles, and Kifune Jinja, which offers blessings for matchmaking and marital harmony. Each of these has a deep history and specific blessings.
Japan’s oldest road, the Yamanobe no Michi, also passes along the base of Omiwa Jinja, making it a recommended spot for a stroll while experiencing the historical romance of ancient Nara.
Omiwa Jinja is a place where you can truly experience a “mountain where kami reside,” preserving ancient forms of worship and adorned with numerous legends and mysteries. We invite you to experience its magnificent history and mystical atmosphere firsthand.