Honden

The honden ( 本殿, main hall?) (also called shinden (神殿?) or sometimes shōden (昇殿?), as in Ise Shrine's case), is the most sacred building at a Shinto shrine, intended purely for the use of the enshrined kami, usually symbolized by a mirror or sometimes by a statue. The building is normally in the rear of the shrine and closed to the general public. In front of its usually stands the haiden, or oratory. The haiden is often connected to the honden by a heiden, or hall of offerings.