Izumo Taisha Shrine, located in Izumo City, Shimane Prefecture, is the oldest shrine in Japan. The shrine enshrines Okuninushi no Okami as its main deity, and is widely worshipped as a god of marriage and good fortune. Because of its importance, the shrine is also called “Izumo Oyashiro,” and from ancient times to the present day, it has been the object of deep devotion by people across the country. The origin of Izumo-taisha Shrine is said to date back to the Kami period. Myths in the Kojiki (Records of Ancient Matters) and Nihonshoki (Chronicles of Japan) tell us that Okuninushi (the Great God of the Land) established a nation in the land of Izumo, and later negotiated with an envoy of Amaterasu (the Great Goddess of Amaterasu) to hand over the land to him. This myth was a factor in the sanctity of the founding of Izumo Taisha. It is said that after Okuninushi Okami ceded the land to the gods of heaven, a magnificent shrine was built for his own residence, and this was the beginning of Izumo-taisha Shrine. During the Heian period, Izumo-taisha took on a particularly important position in the shrine system, and national rituals were performed under the control of the Shinto priests. During this period, Izumo Taisha was also known as Kizukitaisya. During the Kamakura period, more records were kept, especially the rituals and ceremonies performed by Izumo-taisha, which was a central part of the Shinto and national ceremonies of the time. From the Muromachi period to the Edo period, some buildings were damaged due to wars and changes in the times, but each time they were rebuilt and continued to support the local faith. During the Edo period, the number of visitors to the shrine increased nationwide, and the shrine became popularly known as “Izumo-mode” (Izumo Pilgrimage). Behind this was a deep connection with the shrine's appeal as a place for a bountiful harvest and forging ties between people. In the Meiji period, with the establishment of national Shintoism, Izumo-taisha came to be administered under a new system. In the wave of modernization, Izumo-taisha maintained its status as a place of special sanctity among the nation's shrines, and as the number of visitors increased, shrine facilities were renovated and protected. Even after the war, the shrine continued to play an important role as a center of local culture and faith, as well as a tourist destination. The architecture and rituals of this shrine are also very unique. In particular, the shimenawa (sacred rope) in the Kaguraden is known for its enormity and solemnity, and is a source of amazement to many worshippers. In October of the lunar calendar, “Kamiarisai” is held, a special time when all the gods of Japan are said to gather in Izumo. Unlike other regions, where this period is called “Kanna-zuki,” in Izumo it has a special meaning as “Kamiarizuki. Thus, Izumo Taisha Shrine has an extremely high historical and cultural value and is deeply rooted in the spiritual culture of the Japanese people. Its grand traditions and mythological background still attract many people today.