Honden - The Main Sanctuary
The innermost sacred building housing the kami or their symbol.
The honden is the main sanctuary where the shintai (kami's symbol or dwelling object) is enshrined. Ordinary worshippers cannot enter; only priests may access this holiest space during specific rituals. The honden represents the kami's actual dwelling place.
In the honden, the kami graciously makes their home among us.
The restricted access to the honden maintains the mystery and reverence of kami presence.
Shrine architecture