Best Shrines around Kansai Spot List

The shrine to the north of the main hall of Kiyomizu-dera Temple, whose spirit is worshipped as a deity of marriage. A pair of guardian stones in the grounds known as ”Koi uranai-no-Ishi” dates back to the Jomon period.

Kudo-no-kami, the god of the kitchen, is enshrined here

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

The traditional god of learning

An old shrine known as “Ebessan” to Osaka’s merchants

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

Pray for good health and matchmaking at this shrine built for subduing an epidemic

For those who want to succeed like Hideyoshi did

Encounter a god of matchmaking in a busy district

Known for its relation to the Fujiwara clan, this shrine boasts spectacular views of autumn foliage

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

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.

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

The inner sanctuary is the oldest example of Shinto architecture in Japan

Enshrines Japan's top Shinto deity

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

Famous for its deity of scholarship

Here resides the god who watches over Kyoto's kitchens

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

The oldest shrine in Kyoto