Best Shrines Spot List

The head Kumano shrine where various Kumano deities are worshiped

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.

A shrine where the god for safe sea travel is enshrined has been respected by people. Many important cultural properties of the ward are preserved in the shrine ground.

Known as the shinto shrine related to Yoshida Shoin, a samurai clan member of the Choshu Domain who had enormous influence on the movement to topple the Edo Shogunate during the mid-19th century. Now deified, he has become popular as a god of academic success.

The thatched Haiden hall is magnificent

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

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

Famous for its deity of scholarship

A spectacular hall of worship with 44 massive pillars

The Hakone Shrine with its vermillion-lacquered torii (Shinto shrine archway) and its Japanese cedars is a shrine with a holy presence that tells you about history

A historical shrine with a solemn atmosphere built in Gongen-zukuri (style of Shinto architecture in which the main hall and worship hall share one roof). It is designated as National Important Cultural Property. Late April is the best period to see the Azaleas on the premises.

The oldest shrine in Kyoto

Famous since the Edo period (1603–1868) for its god of business prosperity. Site of the largest Tori no Ichi open-air market in Japan.

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

A shrine famous for its ”Wedded Rocks”

This is a historical shrine established about 1,500 years ago. The gods for a good marriage match and family harmony are enshrined.

Hie-jinja Shrine has a history of more than 600 years. The Sanno Festival, one of the three biggest Japanese festivals, is held in June.

Where the guardian buck and doe are enshrined

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.

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