Discover Japan's Hidden Gems

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...

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...

Ama no Iwato Shrine

Cave Where the Sun Goddess Hid

Sacred shrine marking the cave where the sun goddess Amaterasu hid, plunging the world into darkn...

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...

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...

Dazaifu Tenmangu

Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine

Revered shrine dedicated to the deity of learning, attracting millions of students seeking academ...

Dewa Sanzan

Dewa Sanzan (Three Sacred Mountains)

The three sacred mountains of Dewa -- Haguro, Gassan, and Yudono -- have been a center for yamabu...

Hakuto Shrine

Overlooking a pristine stretch of San'in coastline, Hakuto Shrine enshrines the mythological Whit...

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...

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...

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...

Ise Grand Shrine

Ise Grand Shrine (Ise Jingu)

Japan's most sacred Shinto shrine dedicated to the sun goddess Amaterasu, rebuilt every 20 years ...

Isonokami Shrine

One of Japan's Oldest Shrines with Legendary Sacred Sword

One of Japan's oldest Shinto shrines, mentioned in the nation's earliest chronicles, said to hous...

Itsukushima Shrine

Floating Torii Gate of Miyajima

UNESCO World Heritage shrine on Miyajima Island, famous for its vermillion torii gate appearing t...

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...

Izumo Taisha

Izumo Taisha Grand Shrine

One of Japan's oldest Shinto shrines. Dedicated to Okuninushi, god of marriage—couples come here ...

Kamigamo Shrine

Kyoto's Oldest Shrine with Sacred Sand Cone Mounds

A UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of Kyoto's oldest Shinto shrines, founded in 678 AD, known f...

Kashima Shrine

Kashima Shrine is one of Japan's oldest and most venerated shrines, dedicated to the deity of mar...

Kasuga Taisha

Kasuga Grand Shrine

Ancient Shinto shrine set in a primeval forest, famous for thousands of stone and bronze lanterns.

Kibitsu Shrine

The Shrine Behind the Legend of Momotaro

Ancient shrine said to be the origin of the Momotaro legend. Known for its unique roof style and ...