大山祇神社Unclaimed

Omishima lies on the Setouchi Shimanami Kaido route and is a popular spot with cyclists. There is also a bicycle parking area in front of the shrine. Since the Shimanami Kaido can be crossed on foot or by bicycle, visiting the shrine on an island tour is also recommended.

Take the Setouchirai or Setonaikai Kōtsū express bus from in front of JR Imabari Station for approximately 65 minutes and get off at Oyamazumi Shrine. By car: approximately 15 minutes from Omishima IC on the Shimanami Kaido, or approximately 35–40 minutes from Imabari IC.

The Treasure Hall houses 8 National Treasures and 682 Designated Important Cultural Properties of armour and weapons. On display are armours said to have been dedicated by Minamoto no Yoritomo and Minamoto no Yoshitsune, as well as the naginata of Musashibo Benkai. Approximately 80% of all armour and weapons designated as National Treasures or Important Cultural Properties are held here.

Allow approximately 1 to 2 hours for a shrine visit and viewing the treasure museum. Additional time will be needed if you also visit the camphor tunnel and the inner shrine.

Entry to the shrine grounds is free. The treasure museum has an admission fee: 1,000 yen for adults, 800 yen for high school and university students, and 400 yen for primary and junior high school students.

It is the head shrine of over 10,000 Yamatsumi shrines and Mishima shrines throughout Japan, and is a historic shrine that has been revered since ancient times as the first-rank shrine of Iyo Province. The enshrined deity is Oyamatsumi no Okami (the elder brother of Amaterasu Oomikami), and is widely worshipped as the god of mountains, the god of the sea, and the god of navigation. It is also known as Japan's Universal Guardian Shrine.

Many warriors including Minamoto no Yoritomo, Minamoto no Yoshitsune, and Ashikaga Takauji have worshipped here and made offerings of weapons. Because of this, the shrine is known by the alternative name "God of War," and its collection of weapons in the treasure museum is said to be among the finest in Japan.

The large camphor tree in the plaza in front of the main shrine is approximately 20m tall, has a trunk circumference of about 12m, and is a sacred tree estimated to be about 2,600 years old. According to tradition, it was planted by Ochinokami, a descendant of Oyamazumi Ōkami, in the age of the gods. The entire camphor grove at Oyamazumi Shrine is designated as Japan's oldest primordial forest sanctuary and a national natural monument.

Notable features include the Great Gate rebuilt in 2010 made entirely of Japanese cypress with a height of 12 metres, the ancient sacred tree Daiohkusu with an age of 2,600 years, the Main Hall and Worship Hall (Designated Important Cultural Properties), and the Treasure Hall. Adjacent to these is a Maritime Museum, which also displays research materials from Emperor Showa's biological studies.

There is a car park around the shrine. In addition to parking for visitors, a municipal car park is also available near the shrine (we recommend arriving early during busy times).

Grounds: free. Treasure Hall: adults ¥1,000, high school and university students ¥800, elementary and middle school students ¥400

Yes, parking is available. Please check the official information for details.

Open year-round

3327 Miyaura, Omishima-cho, Imabari, Ehime Prefecture

Shrine grounds: closed at 17:00. Treasure museum: 8:30–16:30 (closed at 17:00)

Take the Setouchirai or Setonaikai Kōtsū express bus from in front of JR Imabari Station for approximately 65 minutes and get off at Oyamazumi Shrine. By car: approximately 15 minutes from Omishima IC on the Shimanami Kaido.