Nearly 9,500 people traveled from across Japan to see for themselves a recently discovery pillar that reportedly sustained an ancient, 48-meter-tall building on the site of Izumo Shrine when it was unveiled to the public Saturday.
The 800-year-old pillar, which has a diameter of 3 meters, is the largest example of ancient Japanese wooden architecture ever discovered. It was unearthed in late April in the grounds of the shrine, in the town of Taisha, Shimane Prefecture.
Experts believe the pillar supported a shrine building raised 48 meters off the ground -- equivalent to a 14-story building.
Previously, the building only appeared in historical documents from the Heian Period (794-1185). , and was generally believed to have been a legend.