Best Shrines around Kansai Spot List

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

The traditional god of learning

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

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”

The source of worship to Nachi Falls

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

Famous for its strange festival, the Kurama Fire Festival

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

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

Enshrines Japan's top Shinto deity

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.

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

Known for its god that brings economic blessings

The head shrine of all the Tenman-gu shrines in Japan, affectionally called ”Kitano no Tenjin-san.” The shrine is dedicated to Sugawara no Michizane.

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

Encounter a god of matchmaking in a busy district

A shrine famous for its ”Wedded Rocks”

This ancient temple contains the history of the Southern Dynasty

The head shrine of all the Inari-jinja shrines across Japan. Its approximately 1,000 photogenic torii gates (an archway to a Shinto shrine) attract many visitors.