Heiden (Shinto)
Introduction In Shinto shrine architecture, a  is the part within a Shinto shrine's compound used to house offerings. It normally consists of a connecting section linking the ''honden'' (sanctuary, closed to the public) to the ''haiden'' (oratory). If the shrine is built in the ''Ishi-no-ma-zukuri'' style, its stone pavement is lower than the floor of the other two rooms, and it is called , hence the name. It can also be called  or in other ways, and its position can sometimes vary. In spite of its name, nowadays it is used mostly for rituals.
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