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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

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

All Events Places

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

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

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