竹田恒泰に教わる 出雲大社#1「縁結びだけじゃない大国主大神」#竹田恒泰

After bowing at the large torii gate, you'll begin the 900-meter descent towards the main shrine. It's a unique experience to walk downhill into the sacred area, which is thought to make you feel humble and respectful. Remember to walk on the right side of the path, as the center is reserved for the gods.

Before reaching the main shrine, you'll encounter a small shrine on the right called Harae no Yashiro. Here, you perform a purification ritual to cleanse your body and spirit of impurities, as the gods prefer purity. It's a crucial step before approaching the main deity, not for making wishes, but solely for purification.

Unlike most shrines that follow a 2 claps, 2 bows, 1 clap (2-2-1) ritual, Izumo Taisha requires a unique 2 bows, 4 claps, 1 bow (2-4-1) sequence. You also perform a light bow at the very beginning and end of your worship. When approaching the steps, step with your outer foot first, then bring your inner foot to avoid walking directly in the center, which is the path for the gods.

As you continue along the path, you'll cross the Soga River. This river acts as a symbolic boundary, further deepening the sense of entering a more sacred space. The path remains flat after this point, leading you closer to the main shrine.