honden

Honden is the main sanctuary building of a Shinto shrine, housing the shintai—the sacred object believed to embody the presence of the kami. The term literally means “main hall” or “main sanctuary” in Japanese. The honden is typically situated at the innermost part of the shrine complex, behind a sacred enclosure such as a tamagaki fence, and is distinct from the haiden, the hall where worshipers come to pray and make offerings.

Inside the honden, the shintai may take various forms, such as a mirror, sword, jewel, or a natural object regarded as the dwelling place of the deity. Access to the honden is usually restricted to priests or designated ritual specialists, and the public traditionally observes rites from the haiden.

Architectural styles and details of the honden vary by shrine tradition, but common features include a simple wooden construction and a roof that may be gabled or hipped, often with roof ornaments called chigi and katsuogi. The building’s appearance reflects its sacred function and is treated with a high level of reverence.

Reconstruction practices differ among shrines. Some honden are preserved within a single structure for long periods, while others are rebuilt as part of renewal rites. A renowned example is the Ise Grand Shrine, whose Naiku and Geku honden are rebuilt periodically every 20 years as a central aspect of Shinto renewal, with the process closely guarded by hereditary priestly lineages.

In contemporary practice, the honden remains the shrine’s spiritual core, symbolizing the presence of the kami, while public ceremonies and daily worship typically occur in the haiden. The exact form of the honden is closely tied to the shrine’s tradition and lineage.