大神神社

Omiwa Shrine in Sakurai is considered one of the oldest shrines in Japan. It has no main sanctuary building; instead the mountain behind it, Mount Miwa, is itself worshipped as the body of the deity Omononushi. Worshippers pray toward the mountain through a distinctive triple torii gate set behind the worship hall, which are both designated Important Cultural Properties. The current worship hall was rebuilt in 1664 by the shogun Tokugawa Ietsuna. The shrine preserves an ancient form of nature worship and remains an active place of prayer.