Best Shrines around Kansai Spot List

Enshrines Japan's top Shinto deity

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

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.

A shrine affiliated with boars and protection for the lower body

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.

The traditional god of learning

A shrine famous for its ”Wedded Rocks”

Worshipped as the deity of good fortune, this is the head shrine of all the Ebisu-jinja shrines in Japan that enshrine Ebisu, the god of business success. During the period from January 9 to 11 called Toka Ebisu, the shrine bustles with as many as one million visitors every year. A particularly famous event at this time is the Shinto ritual called Fukuotoko Erabi (choosing a lucky man), which takes place early in the morning of January 10. It is also well known that Hanshin Tigers players come here in spring to pray for victory before the official professional baseball season begins. The 247-meter Oneribei, which was constructed in the Muromachi Period, and the Omote-Daimon gate, which was built in 1604 using funds donated by Hideyori Toyotomi, are both designated as national Important Cultural Properties.

For people seeking beautiful hair

Built in the Gongen-zukuri style, this shrine was founded by the lord of the Kishu domain, Yorinobu Tokugawa, in 1621 to enshrine his father Ieyasu. Similar to Nikko Tosho-gu Shrine, the magnificent shrine pavilion is surrounded by sculptures by Jingoro Hidari and wall paintings by Tanyu Kano. Seven shrine structures including the Haiden, the Honden, and the vermillion Romon Gate, are designated as national Important Cultural Properties. At the shrine, Mikoshitogyo, which is one of the great festivals called Wakamatsuri, takes place where men carry mikoshi (portable shrine carried in festivals) and courageously descend 108 steps, followed by a parade of 1,000 people.

This shrine is mentioned in the ancient book Nihongi

A shrine to the beautiful Mount Miwa, worshiped since ancient times

A magnificent shrine dedicated to Emperor Jinmu and his Empress

During the Nara Period, the guardian deity of the hiike (pond where ice used in the Imperial court was made) and the himuro (storeroom for ice), which were built in the Kasugano field beside Yoshiki-gawa River, was enshrined in the shrine. It was later moved to the current location. On May 1 every year, a festival called Kenpyosai takes place in which workers at companies that make and sell ice pray for success in business. The current shrine pavilion is said to have been reconstructed in the Edo Period. Also, the weeping cherry trees in the shrine grounds are very beautiful.