Shinto shrine
Ōyamato Jinja
大和神社（おおやまとじんじゃ）
Tenri, Nara Prefecture
An old shrine in Niizumi-chō, Tenri, Nara Prefecture, whose chief enshrined kami is Yamato Ōkunitama no Ōkami, together with Yachihoko no Ōkami and Mitoshi no Ōkami. It is known as the shrine where envoys to Tang China prayed for safe voyages before setting out, and it is also connected with the battleship Yamato.
English pages are the site’s own translations of its Japanese pages. The sources cited are in Japanese. 日本語で読む
Prayers associated with this place
Enshrined kami: Yamato Ōkunitama no Ōkami, Yachihoko no Ōkami and Mitoshi no Ōkami
History and things to know
According to the shrine's tradition, it began when the kami was worshipped as the guardian of the land in the time of Emperor Sujin, and a tradition also remains concerning the time when Amaterasu Ōkami was moved to Ise. In the Nara period, envoys to Tang China visited to pray for safe voyages, and the shrine was also mentioned in a poem by Yamanoue no Okura. In the Shōwa period, the spirit of the enshrined kami was divided and enshrined aboard the battleship Yamato, and after the war the spirits of those who died aboard her were enshrined together here.
Introduced by this site, based on materials from the shrine or temple and public bodies.
Related kami and buddhas
Before you visit
Opening hours, access, areas open to visitors, and events can change. Please check the latest guidance from the shrine or temple itself before you go.
Official website of the shrine or temple (may be in Japanese)
Sources (in Japanese)
- 大和神社「御祭神・御本尊・由緒の公式案内」（2026-10-21 確認）
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