Best Shrines around Kansai Spot List

Kamigamo-jinja Shrine is one of the oldest shrines in Kyoto, founded during the mythical age. It is famous for its Aoi Festival (Kamo Festival) and is registered as a World Heritage Site.

Where the guardian buck and doe are enshrined

Here resides the god who watches over Kyoto's kitchens

A shrine to visit for breaking bad habits or starting good ones

The source of worship to Nachi Falls

An old shrine that has continued to protect the northeast entry to Kyoto

Having many children themselves, rabbits symbolize safe child-rearing here

Boasts an amazing stage modeled after a lion mask

Formerly Kumano Hayatama Taisha Shrine, this shrine is located on the grounds where Kumano’s three deities descended

The main shrine hall is a national treasure with droves of people lining up for the New Year’s shrine visit at “Sumiyossan”

The mystical, large torii (gateway) that appears as if it’s floating on the lake’s surface is a must-see

Inherit Hikaru Genji's luck in love

A shrine to the south of the imperial palace for gods who offer directional protection

Founded in 1895 for the 1,100th anniversary of the relocation of the capital city to the Heian-kyo, the shrine reproduces the Imperial Palace of the Heian-kyo. It enshrines Emperor Kanmu and Emperor Komei.

The homeland of a goddess at Ise Grand Shrine, located in the old Tango Province

Famous for its deity of scholarship

A shrine affiliated with boars and protection for the lower body

The head of Japan’s Kumano shrines—famous for matchmaking

A shrine for a popular matchmaking deity and associated with the puppet play “Sonezaki Shinju”

The head Kumano shrine where various Kumano deities are worshiped