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The First-Timer's Japan Guide

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All Events Places

Shrine

Osaka Tenmangū

Founded as a guardian shrine in 650 AD and rededicated in 949, Osaka Tenmangū honors the deified scholar Sugawara no Michizane, revered as a deity of academics and learning.

Osaka

Shrine

Aso Shrine

A venerable shrine dating over 2,000 years, Aso Shrine honors the grandson of Emperor Jimmu and fuses Shinto practice with worship of Mount Aso's sacred volcanic crater.

Aso · Kumamoto

Shrine

Shimogamo Shrine

Dating to the 6th century, this Kyoto shrine dedicated to Tamayori-hime and her father was worshipped as protection against misfortune and a guardian of the capital.

Kyoto

All Events Places

Shrine

Osaka Tenmangū

Founded as a guardian shrine in 650 AD and rededicated in 949, Osaka Tenmangū honors the deified scholar Sugawara no Michizane, revered as a deity of academics and learning.

Osaka

Shrine

Aso Shrine

A venerable shrine dating over 2,000 years, Aso Shrine honors the grandson of Emperor Jimmu and fuses Shinto practice with worship of Mount Aso's sacred volcanic crater.

Aso · Kumamoto

Shrine

Shimogamo Shrine

Dating to the 6th century, this Kyoto shrine dedicated to Tamayori-hime and her father was worshipped as protection against misfortune and a guardian of the capital.

Kyoto

Shrine

Hie Shrine

Hie Shrine was established in 1335 near Toyama Castle and hosts the Sanno Festival in June, which attracts 200,000 visitors to the approach streets lined with food stalls.

Toyama

Shrine

Kamigamo Shrine

One of Japan's oldest Shinto shrines, dedicated to the thunder deity and honored since 794 when Kyoto became the imperial capital.

Kyoto

Shrine

Heisenji Hakusan Jinja

Famed for its mossy gardens, Heisenji Hakusan Shrine is designated a National Place of Scenic Beauty and Historic Site, with origins as a Buddhist temple built in 717.

Katsuyama · Fukui

Shrine

Mamada Hachiman Shrine

This 1,300-year-old shrine hosts a Snake Festival on May 5 with seven giant snakes exceeding 15 meters in length, a designated National Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property.

Oyama · Tochigi

Shrine

Kotohira-gū

A shrine devoted to the protection of sailors and sea transport, requiring a climb of 785 steps to the main shrine on Mount Zōzu.

Kotohira · Kagawa

Shrine

Kushida Shrine

A Shinto shrine in Fukuoka dating to the 8th century, renowned for hosting the annual Hakata Gion Yamakasa festival in July with decorated floats.

Fukuoka

Shrine

Isaniwa Shrine

A Shinto shrine in Matsuyama with roots in a visit by Emperor Chuai and Empress Jingu to Dogo Onsen, enshrining multiple emperors as cultural treasures.

Matsuyama · Ehime

Shrine

Yūtoku Inari Shrine

One of Japan's three most famous Inari shrines, dedicated to the god of agriculture and prosperity, known for vermilion torii gates and statues.

Kashima · Saga

Shrine

Toyosaka Shrine

Yamaguchi shrine dedicated to Mōri Motonari, the Sengoku-period warlord who unified the Chūgoku region and established the powerful Mōri clan.

Yamaguchi

Shrine

Shizuoka Sengen Shrine

Shinto shrine in Shizuoka City dedicated to Mount Fuji's guardian deity, revered as one of the region's most important sanctuaries.

Shizuoka

Castle

Ono Castle Ruins (Shiroyama Park)

Castle ruins in Tokoname designated a historic site and preserved as Shiroyama Park with a shrine honoring the Saji clan and scenic bay views.

Tokoname · Aichi

Shrine

Unedori Shrine

Rural Tono shrine associated with love and connection, where visitors tie wishes on red cloth strips using only their non-dominant hand.

Tono · Iwate

Shrine

Osaki Shrine

Shinto shrine enshrining two deities of abundance and protection, with a documented history spanning more than 1,500 years.

Moka · Tochigi

Shrine

Okutsuhime Shrine

Okutsuhime Shrine on remote Hegurajima island was founded by traditional female divers and preserves centuries of maritime worship traditions.

Wajima · Ishikawa

Shrine

Takebe Shrine

Takebe Shrine in Otsu enshrines Yamato Takeru and Onamuchi and served as the principal shrine of the ancient Ōmi Province.

Otsu · Shiga