The Nishi jukusha of Izumo-taisha Shrine, like the Higashijukusha, is a facility that serves as an accommodation for the gods and was established to welcome the eight million gods who gather in Izumo from all over Japan during the month of Kamiari-zuki, which falls in October each year. According to Japanese mythology, in the month of October, called Kanna-zuki, all the gods of the country gather together in Izumo to hold various rituals and meetings. The Nishi jukusha served as places for the deities to stay during these ceremonies. The number “nineteen” is thought to symbolize the main deities of the country, and each shrine enshrines a specific deity. Thus, the Nishi jukusha are more than mere buildings; they are symbolic entities that connect the gods and people, and are an important element in maintaining Izumo Taisha's special status as a “place where the gods gather”.