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The main shrine is separated from the outside, secular/profane, world by three layers of fences, from the Wild Fence (''Aragaki'') which is the outermost, to the Pure Fence (''Mizugaki''), to the Jade Fence (''Tamagaki''), the innermost of the three. Entrance deeper into the shrine beyond the Jade Fence is restricted only to those closely associated with the shrine, or to those with special permission.<ref>Gallery labels, Masuura Yukihito, "Shrines of the Gods," College of Creative Studies, UC Santa Barbara, Jan 2014.[https://www.flickr.com/photos/toranosuke/13140062245/in/dateposted-public/]</ref>
The main shrine is separated from the outside, secular/profane, world by three layers of fences, from the Wild Fence (''Aragaki'') which is the outermost, to the Pure Fence (''Mizugaki''), to the Jade Fence (''Tamagaki''), the innermost of the three. Entrance deeper into the shrine beyond the Jade Fence is restricted only to those closely associated with the shrine, or to those with special permission.<ref>Gallery labels, Masuura Yukihito, "Shrines of the Gods," College of Creative Studies, UC Santa Barbara, Jan 2014.[https://www.flickr.com/photos/toranosuke/13140062245/in/dateposted-public/]</ref>
The Main Hall of the shrine has been designated a [[National Treasure]]. It is periodically rebuilt, but always incorporates elements of the earlier structure, including the Uzu Pillar (''Uzu-bashira'')
The Main Hall of the shrine has been designated a [[National Treasure]]. It is periodically rebuilt, but always incorporates elements of the earlier structure, including the Uzu Pillar (''Uzu-bashira''), a roof-ridge-holding pillar which records within its tree rings the history of the shrine. The main hall is today roughly 24 meters tall, though in the past it was 48 meters high during the medieval period, and according to archaeological evidence, a stunning 96 meters tall in ancient times.<ref name=uji>Gallery labels, Masuura Yukihito, "Shrines of the Gods," College of Creative Studies, UC Santa Barbara, Jan 2014.[https://www.flickr.com/photos/toranosuke/13140063085/sizes/h/]</ref>
The Main Hall is flanked by two side shrines to the east and west, enshrining respectively the god of Uji, and the god of Kutami. These serve as "gatekeepers" for Ôkuninushi.<ref name=uji/>
A 22-meter tall [[torii]] gate at the shrine, erected in 1915, is one of the tallest in the country.<ref>Takashi Fujitani, ''Splendid Monarchy'', University of California Press (1996), 122-123.</ref>
A 22-meter tall [[torii]] gate at the shrine, erected in 1915, is one of the tallest in the country.<ref>Takashi Fujitani, ''Splendid Monarchy'', University of California Press (1996), 122-123.</ref>
