Best Shrines around Kansai Spot List

The oldest shrine in Kyoto

Famous for its cherry blossoms and being one of Kyoto’s three Kumano Shrines

This lushly green shrine faces Midosuji boulevard and is more than 1600 years old

A guardian deity of water with miraculous virtue worshipped since ancient times. The shrine has been worshipped for better luck marriage by countless people through the ages, including nobles.

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.

Known for its god that brings economic blessings

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

Famous for its strange festival, the Kurama Fire Festival

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

Where the guardian buck and doe are enshrined

A sacred place connected to Hideyoshi

A shrine famous for its ”Wedded Rocks”

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

A famous shrine that plays a central role in the Gion Festival

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

Boasts an amazing stage modeled after a lion mask

Inherit Hikaru Genji's luck in love

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.

Dedicated to Toyo'uke-no-Omikami

The head shrine of all Gion satellite shrines throughout Japan. Local residents call the shrine ”Gion-san.”