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The First-Timer's Japan Guide16-page PDF, in your welcome email.

The First-Timer's Japan Guide

Guides, places, and what's on across Japan, written at street level.

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All Events Places

Shrine

Omi Jingu

Established in 1940, Ōmi Jingu enshrines Emperor Tenji and stands adjacent to the traditional site of the Ōmi Ōtsu Palace, which he founded in 667.

Otsu · Shiga

Shrine

Aoba Shrine

Dedicated to Date Masamune, the founder of Sendai, this shrine was established in 1874 and serves as a symbolic center of the city's samurai heritage.

Sendai · Miyagi

Shrine

Tsutsujigaoka Tenmangu Shrine

Dedicated to Sugawara no Michizane, this shrine was established in 974 and relocated to Sendai, rebuilt in 1667 with striking vermilion colors.

Sendai · Miyagi

All Events Places

Shrine

Omi Jingu

Established in 1940, Ōmi Jingu enshrines Emperor Tenji and stands adjacent to the traditional site of the Ōmi Ōtsu Palace, which he founded in 667.

Otsu · Shiga

Shrine

Aoba Shrine

Dedicated to Date Masamune, the founder of Sendai, this shrine was established in 1874 and serves as a symbolic center of the city's samurai heritage.

Sendai · Miyagi

Shrine

Tsutsujigaoka Tenmangu Shrine

Dedicated to Sugawara no Michizane, this shrine was established in 974 and relocated to Sendai, rebuilt in 1667 with striking vermilion colors.

Sendai · Miyagi

Shrine

Kasuga-taisha

A major shrine with over 3,000 affiliated shrines nationwide, maintained through a tradition of structural renewal held every 20 years.

Nara

Shrine

Okawakami Birafu Shrine

A revered Kochi shrine with 10th-century origins, featuring a prefectural cultural property hall and an annual autumn festival.

Kami · Kochi

Shrine

Heian Shrine

A highly-ranked Shinto shrine in Kyoto built in 1895 to commemorate the city's 1100th anniversary and dedicated to Emperor Kanmu.

Kyoto

Shrine

Sumiyoshi Taisha

Sumiyoshi Taisha has served maritime travelers for two millennia, enshrining three sea deities and Empress Jingū, who founded the shrine and is revered as a protective deity.

Osaka

Shrine

Owari Okunitama Shrine

Owari Okunitama Shrine is the regional guardian of Owari Province, enshrining the sacred land spirit revered for protection of agriculture and commerce since the Nara period.

Inazawa · Aichi

Shrine

Tsuma Shrine

Tsuma Shrine is dedicated to Konohanasakuya-hime, whose name is believed to reflect her role as the spouse of Ninigi no Mikoto in Japanese mythology.

Saito · Miyazaki

Shrine

Suwa Shrine

Suwa Shrine sits on a hillside overlooking Toyama Bay, enshrining three deities revered by maritime workers for protection and prosperity in fishing.

Uozu · Toyama

Park & Garden

Nara Park

Large public park in Nara home to over 1,200 free-ranging sacred Sika deer, with historical temples and shrines for visitors to explore.

Nara

Shrine

Iminomiya Shrine

Western Japan's oldest shrine with an 1,800-year legacy, built where Emperor Chūai's palace stood and his spirit was enshrined by Empress Jingū.

Shimonoseki · Yamaguchi

Shrine

Kanayama Shrine

Shrine dedicated to metalworking deities, famous for the annual Kanamara Matsuri celebrating fertility and well-being, with origins in the Edo period.

Kawasaki · Kanagawa

Shrine

Miyagi Gokoku Shrine

Shrine on the Sendai Castle site honoring over 56,000 spirits of those who died in national service, with a main hall from Ise Grand Shrine.

Sendai · Miyagi

Shrine

Kitaguchi Hongu Fuji Sengen Shrine

Shinto shrine at the northern base of Mount Fuji dating to the 2nd century, serving as the traditional departure point for Mount Fuji pilgrimages.

Fujiyoshida · Yamanashi

Shrine

Hakusan Shrine Sayado

Built in 1760 to protect an ancient shrine dating to 1502, this structure in Gokayama shelters Toyama's oldest surviving wooden building, now designated an Important Cultural Property.

Nanto · Toyama

Shrine

Kanda Shrine

With origins dating 1,270 years ago, this Tokyo shrine in Akihabara held significance for warriors and citizens during the Edo period and was visited by shogun Tokugawa Ieyasu.

Tokyo

Shrine

Fujisan Hongū Sengen Taisha

Dedicated to Mount Fuji's volcano goddess, this shrine has led 1,300 Sengen shrines nationwide for 1,100 years and was designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2013.

Fujinomiya · Shizuoka