Discover Japan's Hidden Gems
Explore temples, shrines, castles, parks, and more
Atsuta Shrine
One of Japan's Holiest Shrines Housing a Sacred Imperial Treasure
One of Japan's most important Shinto shrines, believed to house the sacred sword Kusanagi-no-Tsur...
Yasaka Shrine
Heart of Gion and Home of the Gion Matsuri
A Shinto shrine at the heart of Gion, center of the Gion Matsuri festival every July—one of Japan...
Fushimi Inari Taisha
Shrine of Ten Thousand Torii Gates
Thousands of vermilion torii gates wind up the forested slopes of Mount Inari, creating one of Ja...
Hoshida Myoken-gu Shrine
North Star Shrine and the Star-Fall Legend
Hoshida Myoken-gu, also called Komatsu Shrine, is a hillside shrine in Katano, Osaka, counted amo...
Heian Shrine
Meiji-Era Shrine with Large Torii and Strolling Garden
A striking Meiji-era shrine featuring one of Japan's largest vermilion torii gates and a celebrat...
Itsukushima Shrine
Floating Torii Gate of Miyajima
UNESCO World Heritage shrine on Miyajima Island, famous for its vermillion torii gate appearing t...
Dazaifu Tenmangu
Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine
Revered shrine dedicated to the deity of learning, attracting millions of students seeking academ...
Ikuta Shrine
One of Japan's Oldest Shinto Shrines
One of Japan's oldest Shinto shrines, said to have been founded in 201 AD, located in the heart o...
Munakata Grand Shrine
Sacred Island and Ancient Shrines, a UNESCO World Heritage Site
A UNESCO World Heritage Site comprising three shrines dedicated to the three Munakata goddesses, ...
Hikawa Shrine
Musashi Ichinomiya Hikawa Shrine
Hikawa Shrine in Saitama claims over 2,400 years of history, making it one of Japan's oldest Shin...
Izanagi Shrine
Japan's Oldest Shrine — Birthplace of the Creation Myth
Considered Japan's oldest shrine, dedicated to the creator deities Izanagi and Izanami who, accor...
Atago Shrine
A Mountaintop Fire God Shrine Reached by a Rewarding Hike
Perched atop 924-meter Mt. Atago, this ancient shrine dedicated to the fire deity has protected K...
Izumo Taisha
Izumo Taisha Grand Shrine
One of Japan's oldest Shinto shrines. Dedicated to Okuninushi, god of marriage—couples come here ...
Kirishima Shrine
Mountain Shrine of the Divine Descent
Grand vermillion shrine dedicated to the deity Ninigi-no-Mikoto who descended from heaven to foun...
Kumano Hayatama Taisha
Vermilion Grand Shrine at the Mouth of the Kumano River
The third of the three Kumano Grand Shrines, known for its striking vermilion buildings and an 80...
Kushida Shrine
Hakata's Most Important Shrine and Festival Hub
Hakata's central shrine and starting point of the famous Hakata Gion Yamakasa festival, with a ye...
Meiji Shrine
Tokyo's Most Important Shinto Shrine
Majestic shrine dedicated to Emperor Meiji and Empress Shoken, set within a 70-hectare evergreen ...
Nonomiya Shrine
A Small Shrine in the Bamboo Grove Linked to The Tale of Genji
Small shrine at the bamboo grove entrance. Featured in The Tale of Genji. The black torii (bark-c...
Usa Jingu
Head Shrine of 40,000 Hachiman Shrines
The head shrine of all 40,000 Hachiman shrines in Japan, set in an ancient forest with distinctiv...
Dewa Sanzan
Dewa Sanzan (Three Sacred Mountains)
The three sacred mountains of Dewa -- Haguro, Gassan, and Yudono -- have been a center for yamabu...