Best Shrines Spot List

A shrine that has a beautiful vermilion-lacquered shrine pavilion from the Edo period. It is also called Sanja Gongen (in honor of three men who founded the temple), and the Sanja Matsuri held in May is one of the Three Great Festivals of Edo (now Tokyo).

Atago Shrine is a scenically situated shrine perched 26 meters above sea level atop Mount Atago.

A significant cultural property with the feel of Edo/Tokyo. Richly decorated with gold foils, the magnificent main building also known as the ”shrine of gold” is astounding.

Enshrines Japan's top Shinto deity

This is an auspicious shrine because of the kanji characters that are used for writing its name Hodosan can also be read as ”climbing a mountain of treasures.” The deities who protect people from fire, thefts, and other disasters are enshrined there.

Famous for its strange festival, the Kurama Fire Festival

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

Renowned for its famous Somei spring water and bush clover flowers

Surrounded by the old-growth forest of Tadasu-no-Mori, the shrine has records that date back before Christ. It is also renowned as a spiritual place believed to bring good luck in romance.

Ohyama Afuri Shrine is located on the top of Mt. Oyama. This historical shrine has been worshiped by common people as well as many military commanders in the past.

The thatched Haiden hall is magnificent

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

The three-story pagoda is the symbol of Takahata

Known for its god that brings economic blessings

Here resides the god who watches over Kyoto's kitchens

A shrine affiliated with boars and protection for the lower body

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

Hanazono-jinja Shrine in Shinjuku, loved by many as an urban oasis.

Dedicated to Toyo'uke-no-Omikami

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