大山祇神社

Oyamazumi Shrine is located near the center of Omishima Island along the Shimanami Kaido route. It is about a 10-minute drive from the Omishima IC, and about 60 minutes from JR Imabari Station by Setouchi Bus bound for “”Omishima.”” The shrine enshrines Oyamazumi-no-Kami, a deity associated with mountains and described as the brother of Amaterasu (the sun goddess), and it has more than 10,000 branch shrines across Japan. The shrine offers a variety of blessings; cyclists on the Shimanami Kaido may especially appreciate the traffic-safety amulet designed to be placed inside a helmet. In the treasure hall, visitors can see valuable arms and armor, including items said to have been dedicated by Minamoto no Yoritomo, founder of the Kamakura shogunate. Near the center of the grounds stands a giant camphor tree said to be about 2,600 years old; a local belief says that circling it three times while holding your breath will make wishes come true. About a 10-minute walk away, the approach to the inner sanctuary features “”Ikiki no Gomon,”” a hollow tree said to be around 3,000 years old that visitors can pass through.