Shimane Prefecture Izumo Tourism Association|Recruitment of participants for a special marriage prayer body at the sanctuary of Izumo Taisha

2021.11.30

The Tourism Association of Izumo City, Shimane Prefecture has started recruiting participants for the "Izumo Taisha Eight-Legged Gate Special Worship" to experience matchmaking prayers at the sanctuary of Izumo Taisha between January 25 (Tuesday) ~ January 31 (Monday), 2022. The application period is until Friday, December 31.

The Izumo Taisha Eight-Foot Gate Special Worship is held as a special project of Izumo Day Week, which is usually held around 1/26 every year. Normally, visitors to Izumo Taisha Shrine go to the back of the worship hall and look at the main shrine at the back from the eight-legged gate in front of the main shrine. The area inside the eight-legged gate is a sacred area and cannot be entered except on January 3rd. For special worship, you can visit a special shrine by a Shinto priest, worship inside the gate, and listen to commentary directly from the priest. Accommodation at a hotel in Izumo City on the day before or on the day of participation is a condition of participation.

The date and time are 1/25 (Tue) ~ 1/31 (Mon) twice a day (9:30~11:30 and 14:30~16:30). The number of applicants is 20 each time (minimum 10 people). The participation fee is 3,000 yen (1,000 yen for ball skewers, guides, shopping vouchers, and insurance). Applications for participation are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis from the Tourism Association website (until 12/31). Payment can be made by credit card or bank transfer.

According to the tourism association, "Special worshippers take plenty of time to enter the sanctuary, and provide a special time to listen directly to the commentary of the priests." I say.