Oku-no-In means 'the inner sanctuary', and it's a name given to temples and shrines that are set back, away from the taint of the world. Behind Omishima's grand Oyamazumi Shrine, I found signposts to Oyamazumi Oku-no-In. I had to see this! I followed the path, and although I wasn’t impressed with what I found at my destination, the journey itself was marvelous.
- 1 min read
The Road to Oku-no-In
Sometimes it's the journey, not the destination
![Anonymous Anonymous](https://a2.cdn.japantravel.com/photo/u/23/240x240!/profile.jpg)
By Anonymous
Community writer
![Oku-no-In is very well signposted. There's no mistaking the route](https://a3.cdn.japantravel.com/photo/2514-15000/1000/ehime-the-road-to-oku-no-in-15000.jpg)
Oku-no-In is very well signposted. There's no mistaking the route
![The path winds up past some nice old houses. Here's an old well with some flowers growing from a crack.](https://a3.cdn.japantravel.com/photo/2514-15002/1000/ehime-the-road-to-oku-no-in-15002.jpg)
The path winds up past some nice old houses. Here's an old well with some flowers growing from a crack.
![Very pretty against their concrete background](https://a3.cdn.japantravel.com/photo/2514-15004/1000/ehime-the-road-to-oku-no-in-15004.jpg)
Very pretty against their concrete background
![A little goat bleats a greeting. Hello little goat](https://a3.cdn.japantravel.com/photo/2514-15007/1000/ehime-the-road-to-oku-no-in-15007.jpg)
A little goat bleats a greeting. Hello little goat
![Lillies sprout from a bollard. Yonder mountain looks dry and rocky](https://a3.cdn.japantravel.com/photo/2514-15009/1000/ehime-the-road-to-oku-no-in-15009.jpg)
Lillies sprout from a bollard. Yonder mountain looks dry and rocky
![Yes indeed. I won't be climbing that today](https://a3.cdn.japantravel.com/photo/2514-15010/1000/ehime-the-road-to-oku-no-in-15010.jpg)
Yes indeed. I won't be climbing that today
![Wow! The path goes through a tree!](https://a3.cdn.japantravel.com/photo/2514-15013/1000/ehime-the-road-to-oku-no-in-15013.jpg)
Wow! The path goes through a tree!
![This place is really well signposted! This is getting exciting!](https://a3.cdn.japantravel.com/photo/2514-15017/1000/ehime-the-road-to-oku-no-in-15017.jpg)
This place is really well signposted! This is getting exciting!
![Luxurious sago palms in an abandoned garden](https://a3.cdn.japantravel.com/photo/2514-15018/1000/ehime-the-road-to-oku-no-in-15018.jpg)
Luxurious sago palms in an abandoned garden
![Oku-no-In!? Can this be it?](https://a3.cdn.japantravel.com/photo/2514-15023/1000/ehime-the-road-to-oku-no-in-15023.jpg)
Oku-no-In!? Can this be it?
![The other Oku-no-In, and a sense of arrival](https://a3.cdn.japantravel.com/photo/2514-15024/1000/ehime-the-road-to-oku-no-in-15024.jpg)
The other Oku-no-In, and a sense of arrival
Join the discussion
Justin Velgus
3 years ago
Great point. You never know what you may find until you explore. These small wonders can often be found behind tourist locations or just a street over from the main road.
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