Ooyunohara is the place where Kumano Hongu Grand Shrine used to be. There used to be many buildings, but in 1889 a huge flood hit it and washed away most buildings. Only four buildings were left and moved to the place where now Kumano Hougu Grand Shrine is. The torii gate is the biggest one in Japan measuring 33.9 meters high and 42 meters wide. Kumano deity is believed to have descended here in ancient times. When you visit it at night, the atmosphere is so solemn and you can enjoy the stars in heaven if the weather is nice. When I visited it, rice planting has just finished and the combination of the night sky with twinkling stars, young rice plants and the grand torii was marvelous!
