Overview
Mii Shrine stands in Naoe, Hikawa, Izumo, Shimane Prefecture. It preserves traditions surrounding Yagami-hime, who appears in the myths of the deity Ōkuninushi, and her child Konomata-no-kami, and it has long been revered as a deity of safe childbirth. Listed in the Engishiki register as a shikinaisha, it sits quietly in the Hikawa area of the Izumo Plain. Deeply tied to the stories of Izumo mythology, it is an ancient shrine firmly rooted in local life.
Highlights
- ●An ancient shrine linked to Izumo myth, enshrining Yagami-hime and Konomata-no-kami
- ●A pedigree as a shikinaisha listed in the Engishiki
- ●A long-revered deity of safe childbirth and blessings for children
- ●A quiet precinct set amid the farmland of Hikawa on the Izumo Plain
History
Mii Shrine is a shikinaisha recorded in the Engishiki and a shrine of note that belonged to Izumo district in Izumo Province. Its enshrined deities are said to include Yagami-hime, known from the myths of Ōkuninushi, and her divine child Konomata-no-kami. Traditions of Yagami-hime's coming to Izumo and of her child Konomata-no-kami (Mii-no-kami) remain strong here, and the shrine has long been venerated above all as a deity of safe childbirth and of blessings for children. For details of its history and rituals, please consult official information.
Access
The shrine is located in Naoe, Hikawa, Izumo (around 35.38°N, 132.83°E), in the Hikawa area of the Izumo Plain. It is conveniently reached by car; travelers might also consider coming from a nearby station on the JR San'in Main Line, such as Naoe Station. The surrounding area is a calm landscape of open farmland. Check directions and parking through official information.
Best season
It is best visited alongside the lush green rice fields of the Izumo Plain in early summer or the golden ripening ears of autumn. Many come to pray for safe childbirth, and the shrine can be visited quietly in any season. Winter in the San'in region is cold, so dress warmly.
Map
35.3799, 132.8281 · Wikidata
Suggested itinerary
- 1Head from central Izumo to Mii Shrine in Naoe, Hikawa
- 2Pay your respects at the precinct known for safe childbirth
- 3Reflect on the myths of Yagami-hime and Konomata-no-kami
- 4Stroll the area while taking in the rural scenery of the Izumo Plain
Did you know?
💡 The name "Mii" echoes the fact that the mythological Konomata-no-kami is also known as Mii-no-kami. That this shrine, which carries the story of Yagami-hime and her child to the present, has been worshiped as a deity of safe childbirth stems from its lineage tied to mother and child. Enshrining figures of Izumo mythology gives this place its distinctive appeal.
Nearby spots
Traveler reviews0
No reviews yet. Be the first to share!