I visited Miwa-taisha Shrine in autumn, the first shrine in the Land of Yamato~!

On Sunday the 25th of last month, I visited the Omijin-taisha Shrine in Miwa, Nara, which I had not been able to visit due to the Corona disaster.
(Omiwa Shrine) in Miwa, Nara, which I had not been able to visit due to the Corona disaster. I parked my car near the big Ichino-torii gate,
I parked my car near the large Ichino-torii gate and walked slowly along the approach to the second torii gate, where the summer heat was still lingering.
We then proceeded to the second torii (second shrine gate), where the approach to the shrine was still hot in the summer, and stepped on the gravel path lined with votive banners.

　　　

There seemed to be a larger number of visitors than usual. It was also the second day of the Autumn Grand Festival of the Kosha Shrine Worship Association, and the official ascending prayer was held in the hall of worship, which is not usually used.

The Miwa Grand Shrine is located at the foot of Mt. Miwa, a small mountain less than 500 meters above sea level in the Kannabiyama (Mt. Kannabiyama = mountain where God dwells) in the Land of Yamato. There is no main shrine but three torii (torii gates) of Miwa just behind the worship hall, and three iwakura (rock formations) are arranged toward the mountain.

Suwa-taisha Shrine, which I visit every month, has no main shrine because its deity is Mount Moriya, which is Mount Kannabi-yama.

I was also allowed to ascend to the main sanctuary in the hall of worship. I offered a tamagushi (a Shinto offering of money) and prayed with all my heart toward the sacred mountain right in front of me from the hall of worship.

The “Yamanobe no Michi” (Mountain Side Road) that runs along the foot of the mountain is an ancient road, and I have already walked this road with a high school student about 40 years ago. I have a strong desire to one day walk this road at a leisurely pace.

I will never forget the taste of warm somen noodles we had at Chogakuji Temple on the way.

After visiting the temple, I took my usual route to Morimasa, located right next to the second torii gate, and had a delicious “Niu-men” (warm somen noodles) and Nara’s specialty “Kakinoha-zushi” (sushi with persimmon leaves).

The taste of the restaurant’s courtyard is always the same, and it is a space and time that warms my heart.