Best Shrines Spot List

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

Enshrines Japan's top Shinto deity

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.

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

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.

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 as a spiritual site believed to bring good luck in marriage

The thatched Haiden hall is magnificent

This is a popular shrine for enmusubi-mairi, praying for a good marriage match. Weathered, miniature Shinto shrines on the shrine grounds invite your profound interest.

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

Famous for its deity of scholarship

The head shrine of Oshu, boasting 1,200 years of history

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

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.

An old shrine that has continued to protect the northeast entry to 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.

An historic shrine favored as a place of rest and relaxation by locals

A shinto shrine enshrining Mount Fuji, the symbol of Japan, worshiped by a large number of people.

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.

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