[2][3] The honden itself is surrounded by a cloister-like covered corridor called kairō' (回廊) (see photo).
It has a hirairi or hirairi-zukuri (平入・平入造) structure, that is, the building has its main entrance on the side which runs parallel to the roof's ridge (non gabled-side).
[1] The space between the two structures is one ken wide and forms a room called ai-no-ma (相の間).
Structural details also show a strong relationship with the Heian period style called shinden-zukuri used in aristocratic residences.
[1] Isaniwa Shrine (伊佐爾波神社) in Matsuyama, Ehime, is a rare example of the hachiman-zukuri style.