30 Best Shinto Shrines You Have to Visit

by Kerry Furukawa & Lucy Dayman | TRAVEL

© Inefekt69 / Flickr Creative Commons, Shirahige Shrine — © Inefekt69 / Creative Commons, Shirahige Shrine

No matter what corner of Japan you’re exploring you’re more than likely to stroll past a few Shinto shrines, completely in awe. Each shrine feels like world onto itself, full to the brim with spirituality, history, ritual, and an atmosphere quite unlike anywhere in the everyday. A visit to a Shinto shrine is something you definitely have to do if you’re in Japan (or even Washington State for that matter!). To really get the most out of your next Shinto shrine visit, here’s a helpful crash course on what they are, what to do when you visit, and 30 must-see Shinto shrines you should check out!

What is a Shinto Shrine? How’s it Different to a Temple?

© Wei Shi-Hang / Flickr Creative Commons, Nezu Shrine

A Shinto Shrine is the main physical place of worship for followers of the Japanese Shinto religion. The name of a shrine is typically followed by the suffix jinja. Its main role is to be the home to one or sometimes more kami spirits, worshipped in the Shinto religion. Shrines often have honden, which is like the main room where the kami lives. In some cases a honden is not required: in a shrine located on a mountain for example it is often the mountain itself that functions as the place of worship.

What Shinto Shrines do share, in contrast to Buddhist temples, are the instantly recognizable torii gates. These simple structures, usually made in wood, denote the boundary between the sacred world within the shrine and the profane world without. Buddhist temples often have an entrance gate too, but these sanmon, as they are known, tend to be much more elaborate, almost like a temple by themselves.

© Patrick Vierthaler / Flickr Creative Commons, Oishi Shrine

Up until the tail-end of the Edo period (1868) Buddhism and Shinto were essentially entwined. Both temples and shrines were typically used for the same purpose and Shinto kami were considered manifestations of buddhas. When the Meiji Government came to power, Shinto was edged into a more politicized role, representing a more natively Japanese religion in contrast to the perceived foreignness of Buddhism. Today there is a clearer distinction between the two religions than in the past, which is reflected in the experience of a Shinto shrine.

What’s Inside a Shinto Shrine and What To Do There?

© Lawrence OP / Flickr Creative Commons, Inari Shrine Path

If you really want to experience a Shinto shrine the traditional and authentic way there are a number of steps that should be followed. You’ll begin your visit at the temple’s torii gate; this towering double T-shaped frame is considered to be the entrance to the temple grounds. Be sure to bow as a sign of respect at the gates before proceeding underneath. The center of the torii gate is for the spirits to pass through, so when you enter, do so off-center to be respectful.

© Nschouterden / Flickr Creative Commons, Temizuya

Approaching the shrine you’ll find the temizuya, a large communal water basin for visitors to purifiy themselves before going into the shrine. To do this you would fill one of the ladles with water using your right hand, wash your left hand, then switch hands and repeat the process washing your right hand. Some people also choose to purify their mouths with the water too. This is not compulsory, but if you do, remember that the water in the temizuya is for purification, so spit (as delicately as you can) into the drain, not the basin!

© Patrick Vierthaler / Flickr Creative Commons, Nashiski Shrine

Now you’re clean you can head up to the main hall, which is where you’ll make a small donation and say a prayer. The box in front of you is known as a saisenbako. Throw a small coin donation in the box then complete the following steps: bow twice, clap your hands twice and bow again, then say a prayer. Many shrines also have a large a bell known as a suzu, hanging above the box, which you can ring before the process. The ringing of the bell is to tell the deity of your presence.

© M Reza Faisal / Flickr Creative Commons, Ema

On many Shinto shrine grounds you’ll also find an ema board, often used at Buddhist temples too. These boards are used to hang ema, small wooden plaques on which people write their prayers and wishes for the gods. You can typically buy an ema on-site.

The Must-Visit Shinto Shrines

There are thousands of shrines and temples across Japan, and you can check out some great images from talented photographers at Surprising Temples Guaranteed to Get You on the Next Plane. But to really appreciate the spiritual weight, architectural power and historic significance of Shinto shrines, then be sure to pay a visit to some of the world’s most famous shrines. Here’s a small guide to some shrines across Japan we highly recommend you visit.

1. Ise Grand Shrine, Ise (伊勢神宮)

Located in the city of Ise in Mie Prefecture, the Ise Grand Shrine is considered the central shrine of the Shinto religion. This sprawling shrine complex is one of the nation’s most expensive buildings in existence. What’s particularly fascinating about this site is that every 20 years the shrine is dismantled to be rebuilt in its entirety right next door. This revitalizing effort has been going on since the 700s, most recently in 2013 making the current buildings the 62nd incarnation.

While you’re visiting the shrine, Iseshima National Park is also a must-visit. Ago Bay, about 30 mins to the south is particuarly beautiful, dotted with hundreds of forested islands. You could spend a night or two at the Shima Kanko Hotel, which is where all the G7 heads of state stayed for their 2016 summit, and offers some of the best views, and service, in the area.

2. Fushimi Inari, Kyoto (伏見稲荷大社)

© Juan Salmoral / Flickr Creative Commons, Fushimi Inari

Head to Kyoto and chances are one of the main destinations on your itinerary will be Fushimi Inari Shrine. The shrine is most famous for its thousands upon thousands of vermillion torii gates that together make a network of tunnels weaving up towards the hill leading to the main temple site, many of the temple gates have been purchased by private donors. Generally the gates cost around ¥400,000 (about US$3,600) for a small one, and over a million yen ($9,000) for a larger gate.

Its fame is well-deserved, but does mean the shrine gets very busy at times, so avoid weekends and public holidays. While you’re in Kyoto, make sure to get to the Geisha district – check out our Guide to Gion for more info! For a truly unique experience, check out the Rinn Fushimiinari vacation house. Set in a traditional Kyoto machiya townhouse, but with all mod-cons, it has both western and Japanese-style bedrooms and a relaxing garden. Worth a stay!

3. Meiji Jingu, Tokyo (明治神宮)

Tokyo's most iconic shrine, Meiji Jingu, was founded in 1920 in commemoration of Emperor Meiji and his wife, Empress Honten. It was completed six years after the passing of the empress and eight years after the passing of the emperor. Still, it remains a powerful symbol of a man considered the first emperor of modern Japan.

Nestled in the heart of vibrant Harajuku, the site is flanked on one side by the colorful tourist-populated street of Takeshita Dori and the city's unofficial communal backyard Yoyogi Park. It's amazing how tranquil the 10-minute walk from the gate to the shrine's complex is, but it's in large part thanks to the 100,000 trees that make up Meiji Jingu's forest. It's the most popular religious site in the country; in the three days during the New Year period, around three million people make their way to the site to pay their respects and pray for a lucky new year. Visit on the weekend, and chances are you'll spot a traditional Japanese wedding in action.

For some other great suggestions about green spaces in the capital, check out the 20 Best Japanese Gardens in Tokyo for Every Season!

4. Heian Jingu Shrine, Kyoto (平安神宮)

© Kenpei / Creative Commons, Heian Shrine

While it may be relatively young in comparison to some of the nation's other sacred sites, Kyoto's Heian Shrine is still one of its most striking and important. The shrine was built in 1895 as a commemoration of Kyoto's 1100th anniversary as Japan's capital (today, of course, it's Tokyo). The shrine is a dedicated to Emperor Kammu (737-806) and Emperor Komei (1831-1867), the first and last emperors who reigned from Kyoto.

The building was modeled after the ancient Imperial Palace from the Heian Period, but its surrounding area is just as impressive. The site is dotted by museums, weeping cherry trees, and a torii gate that simply is impossible to miss.

While you’re in the area, why not check out Gion Kyoto: 9 Must-See Highlights of the Geisha District!

5. Nikko Toshogu, Nikko (東照宮)

© Visit Nikko, Toshogu Shrine — © Visit Nikko, Toshogu Shrine

The symbol of Nikko's spiritual magnetism, Nikko Tosho-gu is the final resting place of Tokugawa Ieyasu, the founder of the Tokugawa Shogunate. This feudal family ruled Japan for over two and a half centuries. Although the man which the shine honors is of great significance, the biggest drawcard of Nikko Tosho-gu is the lavish design of the shrine's exterior.

Ultra-detailed finished in gold and embedded with fierce and powerful dragon heads; the shrine blends Shinto and Buddhist architectural elements to create an exterior quite unlike any other in the country. When visiting the shrine, a highlight is wandering around the sprawling grounds and exploring the storehouses and five-story pagoda that sits tall and proud in front of the main entrance gate.

The shrine is located in an area full of historical and natural attractions. Check out the 20 Best Things to Do in Nikko!

6. Yahiko Shrine, Niigata (弥彦神社)

Yahiko Shrine is located at the foot of Mt Yahiko in northern Niigata Prefecture, and its origins date back to 7th century. Accessed through a 30-meter high torii gate, the shrine is considered a significant part of the prefecture’s history. A sword among its artifacts has been declared a National Important Cultural Property and a stretch of cedar trees on its grounds has been designated National Treasure status. In addition to Yahiko Shrine, there is another shrine at the top of Mt Yahiko, where the kami, or god, worshiped here is thought to reside. Visitors can access Mt Yahiko’s peak by ropeway.

More than 200,000 people visit Yahiko Shrine to pay their respects at the start of the year, and its festivals are well-known. The Yahiko Toro Festival, usually held in July, features a lantern parade and fireworks display. November’s Chrysanthemum Festival sees the shrine grounds decorated with thousands of chrysanthemums, some elaborately manipulated to fit the exhibition’s theme.

Yahiko Shrine is located 15 minutes on foot from JR Yahiko Station, or 30 minutes by car from the Sanjo-Tsubame exit on the Hokuriku Expressway.

7. Kawaguchi Asama Shrine, Yamanashi (浅間神社)

© Kawaguchiko.net, Kawaguchi Asama Shrine Torii Gate

This Asama shrine is the most significant of about 1,200 shrines across Japan dedicated to the worship or appeasement of volcanoes, particularly Mt Fuji. Unless they are far away, many of these shrines have an unobstructed view of the mountain. At Kawaguchi Asama Shrine, you can get views of the mountain behind a red torii gate by walking an additional 30 minutes from the main shrine. This gate is called tenku no torii, or “gate in the sky.”

Kawaguchi Asama Shrine was built in 864 AD after a particularly powerful Mt Fuji eruption. Praying to the volcano goddess, Konohanasakuya-hime (Cherry Blossom Princess), it was thought, would help the volcano remain calm. The pathway to the main shrine is lined with seven cedar trees, each more than 1,000 years old. The trees are considered sacred and are valued as monuments. In fact, the entire shrine is included in the Mt Fuji UNESCO World Heritage site.

Kawaguchi Asama Shrine is a ten-minute bus ride from Kawaguchiko Station. Nearby attractions include Kawaguchiko Music Forest, an automated musical instruments museum, and a garden offering views of Mt Fuji across Kawaguchiko lake.

8. Hokkaido Shrine, Hokkaido (北海道神宮)

© 2023 Hokkaido Guide, Hokkaido Shrine Wooden Torii

Located within a national park, and surrounded by cherry blossom, elm, oak and magnolia trees, Hokkaido Shrine is a natural haven. It’s the biggest shrine in Maruyama Park in northern Hokkaido, but there are many smaller shrines, too.

Visitors enjoy strolling the expansive park grounds with the shrine as a backdrop throughout the seasons. Not only is the park popular for cherry blossom viewing in spring, but it’s green and verdant in summer, displays multi-colored foliage in autumn, and shifts to snowy scenes in winter. These natural phenomena draw sightseers to the park.

Hokkaido Shrine was built around the start of the Meiji era, in 1871, but the original structure was destroyed in a fire one hundred years later. It was then rebuilt in 1978. There are three gods enshrined here, Okunitama, Okuninushi, and Sukunahikona, as well as the soul of the Meiji Emperor who ordered its original construction.

Hokkaido Shrine is a 15-minute walk from Maruyama-koen Station. Maruyama Park, which also has a hiking trail, is worth exploring, and there are two tea shops on the shrine grounds serving traditional Japanese sweets.

9. Iwakiyama Shrine, Aomori (岩木山神社)

Iwakiyama Shrine is located in Hirosaki, Aomori Prefecture, at the foot of Mt Iwaki. Mt Iwaki is often referred to as the Mt Fuji of the region, and both the shrine and the mountain are thought of as a single entity. The shrine dates to at least the 8th century, but has been reconstructed over the years as necessary. Deities for agriculture and fisheries are worshiped here. The worship hall has been nicknamed Oku Nikko, as it bears some similarity in design to the famous Nikko Toshogu Shrine in Tochigi Prefecture.

There is another shrine at the peak of Mt Iwaki, too. The mountain can also be accessed via a ten-minute gondola ride or a five-hour hike. During a ceremony and pilgrimage in September, worshippers start their climb in the early hours of morning.

Nearby attractions include Iwakiyama Sakurabayashi Park, where hundreds of cherry blossom trees bloom in spring. Iwakiyama Shrine is 40 minutes by bus from Hirosaki Station.

10. Nukisaki Shrine, Gunma (貫前神社)

© Gunma Prefectural Government, Nukisaki Shrine

Perhaps the thing that stands out most about this shrine is that visitors climb down to the main building using a stone staircase. It is one of only three shrines in Japan with this kind of descending entryway. Located in Tomioka in Gunma Prefecture, Nukisaki Shrine is home to the deity of silk and weaving; both major industries in the city. The god of war is also enshrined here.

The pathway leading to the shrine is lined with cherry blossom trees, making it especially picturesque in spring when the trees bloom. The main hall, worship hall and tower gate of the shrine have been declared National Important Cultural Properties.

Nukisaki Shrine is 15 minutes on foot from Joshu-Ichinomiya Station and about 20 minutes by car from the Tomioka exit of Joshin-Etsu Expressway. The shrine is also about an hour’s drive from the Mt Akagi Onsen area.

11. Kashima Shrine, Ibaraki (鹿島神宮)　

Kashima Shrine is full of history and mysticism. It’s said to be the oldest and largest Shinto shrine in the Kanto region, and is the head shrine of hundreds of Kashima shrines around Japan. It houses the deity of martial arts, Takemikazuchi-no-Okami, one of the mythological founders of Japan. A giant stone on the shrine grounds is believed to be pressing down on the head of a large catfish, thereby preventing earthquakes and other natural disasters. The deer that wander in and around the shrine are seen as messengers from God, while colorful koi swim in a clear lake on the compound.

The shrine’s calendar features many martial events and festivals, including the Mifune Water Festival, held once every 12 years. Located in the middle of Kashima City in Ibaraki prefecture, the shrine is a short walk from Kashima Jingu Station.

12. Okunitama Shrine, Tokyo (大國魂神社)

© Ookunitamajinja Wedding, Okunitama Shrine

Located in the western Tokyo city of Fuchu, this shrine is one of five major shrines in Tokyo – the others being Meiji, Hie, Tokyo Daijingu and Yasukuni shrines. Okunitama, once the head shrine of the former Musashi Province (which included parts of present-day Tokyo, Saitama and Kanagawa Prefectures), is still very popular, welcoming around 500,000 visitors over the New Year period.

Okunitama was a consolidation of six shrines in the old province. Even today, ruins of the former administrative office are part of the Okunitama Shrine grounds. Enshrined here also is the deity who protected Musashi province. The shrine’s festivals include the week-long Kurayami Festival in spring, and a chestnut festival in autumn.

Okunitama Shrine is five minutes on foot from Fuchu Station.

13. Takase Shrine, Toyama (高瀬神社)

A well-known and respected spiritual monument, Takase Shrine was the head shrine of the former Etchu Province in present-day Toyama. It is located in Nanto City, and gods of marriage, fortune, medicine, and health are worshiped here.

In fact, a Nade Usagi or Petting Rabbit statue on the shrine grounds is said to have healing powers. Simply rub the rabbit where you want your own body to be healed. The statue’s mythical origins come from a Japanese folktale in which the enshrined god cured an ailing rabbit.

Takase Shrine is about 15 minutes by car from the Tonami Interchange on the Hokuriku Expressway, or a 15-minute taxi ride from JR Fukumitsu Station.

14. Fujisan Hongu Sengen Taisha, Shizuoka (富士山本宮浅間大社)

Not only was this shrine built to pray for protection from volcanoes, but it encompasses Japan’s best-known volcano and the country’s shining symbol, Mt Fuji. That’s right, all of Mt Fuji from the eighth station to the peak, is considered part of Fujisan Hongu Sengen Taisha. Traditionally, the shrine was the starting point for climbing the mountain for visitors from Japan’s old capital, Kyoto.

The shrine grounds feature a clearwater pond, Wakutama, where visitors would purify themselves before starting their journey up the mountain. Today, many climbers stop to pray beforehand, even though the route from the shrine is not used. The main shrine building has a rare two-story construction perched above the other buildings and blooming trees, yet sitting below the omnipresent, snow-capped mountain in the background.

Fujisan Sengen is about ten minutes on foot from Fujinomiya Station.

15. Atsuta Shrine, Aichi (熱田神宮)

A staggering 9 million people visit this Nagoya shrine every year. The shrine is dear to people in Aichi Prefecture, and is generally seen as second in rank to the Ise Grand Shrine. One reason for this is that the shrine is home to the Kusanagi no Tsurugi, an ancient sword which is one of the three sacred relics of Japan. In addition, Atsuta Shrine’s design resembles the Ise Shrines.

Gods related to swords are enshrined here, along with agricultural deities. The sacred sword is not displayed to visitors, but the shrine complex features a museum dedicated to swords. The forested compound also includes shops selling rice cakes and Aichi-style noodles.

Atsuta Shrine is within walking distance of Jingu-Mae and Atsuta Stations.

16. Nangu Shrine, Gifu (南宮大社)

Nangu Taisha was traditionally the head shrine of Mino Province, the region that is now Gifu. The shrine has carried its reverence and importance through to today, 2,000 years after it was established.

Nangu Taisha is located at the foot of Mt Nangu and enshrines the god of metals and mining. Many protected treasures including paintings and swords are also held at the shrine. The main shrine buildings are impressive, but equally intriguing is the long row of torii gates nearby. These gates lead to the smaller Nangu Inari Shrine.

Just outside the main shrine is the start of the trail for the top of Mt Nangu. At just under 2.5 miles (4km), the walk can be completed in about two hours. Hikers are promised panoramic views of the Yoro Mountains from the summit.

Nangu Taisha is 20 minutes on foot from Tarui Station.

17. Kibitsu Shrine, Okayama (吉備津神社)

Maybe you’ve heard of Momotaro in Japanese folklore, a boy born from a peach, who went on to heroically conquer monsters on a distant island. The mythology surrounding Momotaro and this shrine are closely linked. In the story of Kibitsu Shrine, Prince Kibihiko claimed victory in a hard-fought battle against a demon in the former Kibi Province. Today, visitors to the shrine can get their hands on Momotaro-inspired romance charms.

Kibitsu Shrine’s design is also awe-inspiring. It’s the only building in the world made in the Kibitsu-zukuri architectural style, which features twinned roofs and other unique facets. In addition, the shrine has a 1,300-ft (400m) covered outdoor corridor, flanked by various flowering plants.

Kibitsu Shrine is five minutes on foot from Kibitsu Station. Okayama Castle and traditional garden Korakuen are other historical spots in Okayama.

18. Dazaifu Tenmangu, Fukuoka (太宰府天満宮)

© Dazaifu-Tenmangu, Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine Complex

Dazaifu Tenmangu is a sanctuary for culture, learning and the arts. “Sanctuary” is an appropriate word to describe the shrine grounds, which sit under a cover of towering, leaning and blossoming trees. Added to that, a vermillion bridge over a heart-shaped pond with carp and turtles, it belies the shrine’s location in the heart of Fukuoka City in southern Japan.

Dazaifu enshrines the spirit of noted scholar Michizane, above whose grave the main shrine is built. As a result of Michizane’s lettered reputation, the shrine is closely associated with education, and many people visit to pray for success in exams. A lot of the charms on sale at the shrine are also related to academic success. Two on-site museums display the artifacts housed at the shrine and chronicle Michizane’s life.

Dazaifu Tenmangu is five minutes on foot from Dazaifu Station.

19. Aso Shrine, Kumamoto (阿蘇神社)

The head shrine of Higo Province, modern-day Kumamoto Prefecture, Aso Shrine was badly damaged in a 2016 earthquake. Although restoration work is ongoing, the shrine maintains its status as the guardian of the region and a place where people pray for road safety.

Before its collapse in the earthquake, the shrine’s two-story Romon Gate ranked among the top three gates in Japan. The offering hall, which also toppled in the earthquake, has, fortunately, been rebuilt. Work on the Romon Gate is expected to be completed by the end of 2023.

A quaint shopping street just outside the shrine makes for a great souvenir spot, and the Mt Aso volcano is a must-see when you’re in the area.

Aso Shrine is a 20-minute walk from Miyaji Station.

20. Kotohiragu Shrine, Kagawa (金刀比羅宮)

This very popular shrine in Kagawa Prefecture used to be both a Shinto shrine and a Buddhist temple. However, it has been known exclusively as a Shinto shrine since the Meiji era (1868-1912). Perhaps the shrine’s most distinguishing feature is its long staircase of 1,368 seps. Shrine buildings are located at different points along the stairway. You’ll find the main hall around midway, but you’ll have to go all the way to the top to reach the inner shrine. Hundreds of people make the pilgrimage daily.

Of the many gods worshiped here, one of the most well known is the deity for maritime protection. The area around and along the shrine’s stone steps is bustling with museums, shops and restaurants, some serving Kagawa’s famous sanuki udon noodles.

Konpira-san, as the shrine is affectionately known, is ten minutes on foot from Kotohira Station and a 15-minute drive from the Zentsuji highway exit.

21. Udo Shrine, Miyazaki (鵜戸神宮)

A true feat of angled architecture, the semi-hidden Udo Shrine wraps its way along the cliff-like, jagged Nichinan coastline, a little south of Miyazaki City. The building is a dedication to Yamasachihiko, the father of Emperor Jimmu, a man known as the mythical first emperor of Japan. According to legend, drinking the water that drips from neighboring rocks will help you get pregnant.

Rocky pathways and weaving steps connect the site, and its vibrantly vermillion paint contrasts strikingly against the muted colors of the rock face and the deep blue of the sea. It's also home to some of the most incredible views in the area.

22. Nezu Shrine, Tokyo (根津神社)

Nezu Shrine is the creation of the fifth Tokugawa shogun, Tsunayoshi. It is possibly Tokyo's most underrated shrine, Nezu, which sits on Ueno Park's northwest corner, shines with secretive beauty and feels like a great history discovery to those who stumble upon rows and rows of bright torii gates. Get your angle just right, and a photo of Nezu can look deceptively like Fushimi Inari in Kyoto.

Like a painting come to life, the site is flanked by lush green, and the torii gate leads to a colorful koi-populated pond that reflects the vermillion structure in its still, peaceful water—looking for a scenic taste of historic Japan without the crowds? This is it.

23. Sumiyoshi Taisha, Osaka (住𠮷大社)

By many accounts, Osaka isn't a city necessarily well-known for its historic sites, let alone its collection of beautiful shrines, but Sumiyoshi Taisha is well worth mentioning. The site was founded in the third century at a time before the widespread introduction of Buddhism to Japan, and its architectural style stays true to its legacy. The architecture you see here is called Sumiyoshi-zukuri and is reminiscent of Japan's two most important shrines, Ise Shrine and Izumo Taisha.

Near the main shrine's entrance is one of the area's most picturesque attractions, Sorihashi Bridge (aka Taiko Bridge), which arches high arch over the still, reflective pond. Similar to Meiji Jingu in Tokyo, during hatsumode, the days surrounding the New Year, Sumiyoshi Taisha becomes one of the most popular sites in the country.

There’s plenty to do in Osaka, check out these 50 Best Things to Do in Osaka According to Experts!

24. Kumano-Nachi Taisha, Wakayama (熊野那智大社)

© Hidenobu Suzuki, Kumano Nachi Grand Shrine, 2017

Located halfway up Mount Nachi, Kumano-Nachi Taisha is one of the three Kumano shrines, a collection of shrines that make the centerpiece of the richly Shinto-centric Kumano region. It's also backdropped by the tallest waterfall in Japan.

If you want to see the shrine as intended, or as the pilgrims would have seen it all those years ago, you can make the journey up the nearby 267 step stone staircase. For the perfectly recreated moment, visitors can also rent 9th-century Heian-period costumes from the nearby Daimonzaka Chaya for the full picturesque pilgrim experience.

As unique as this location is, Japan has many other treats in store! Check out 8 Surprising Japanese Temples Guaranteed to Get You on the Next Plane!

25. Itsukushima Shrine, Hiroshima (厳島神社)

© JordyMeow / Creative Commons, Miyajima Torii — © JordyMeow / Creative Commons, Miyajima Torii

This shrine is so famous; it's responsible for the name of the island on which it sits. While it's formally known as Itsukushima Shrine, many refer to this site on the whole as Miyajima (which means Shrine Island in Japanese). When you see it, you'll have no questions as to the reason behind this shrine's fame; it was built to look like the shrine, and its torii gate, is floating on water.

The site on which the shrine was built has a long and celebrated history within the world of Shinto spirituality. The highest peak of the island, Mount Misen, was recognized by local people back in the sixth century as a source of power. Today the complex includes a prayer hall, the main hall, and a noh theater stage.

Itsukushima is just one of the 20 Best Japanese Islands You Have to Visit!

26. Zeniarai Benten Shrine, Kamakura (銭洗弁天)

© Adrián Pérez / Creative Commons, Zeniarai Benten Shrine

A popular destination for those looking to become rich, Zeniarai Benten Shrine (also known as Zeniarai Benten Ugafuku Shrine) in Kamakura is said to be a site where you can multiply your money. Located about a 20-minute walk from Kamakura Station, up a weaving network of pathways and along a hill, the site isn't the easiest to find, but if you believe the folklore is clearly well worth the effort. Inside the shrine's cave, where the wicker baskets are located is where the magic happens. The tradition says that visitors should put their money in the wicker basket, kneel respectfully and ladle the shrine's natural spring water over and on the money at least five times. Then simply wait for your money to multiply

27. Kumano Hongu, Wakayama (熊野本宮大社)

© baggio4ever / Creative Commons, Kumano Hongu

Another one of the Kumano region's three famous shrines, Kumano Hongu is best known for its towering torii gate, which stands at a staggering 110 feet / 33 meters high, surrounded by rice fields and backdropped by mystical, cloud flanked mountains. While references to the shrine appear in recorded history as early as the 9th century, the shrine was moved from its original location at Oyu no Hara in the late 1880s due to flooding. The impressive piece of architecture is located at the center of the Kumano Kodo pilgrimage route network, like a spiritual centerpiece of this historic trail through the nation's spirituality.

28. Shimogamo Jinja, Kyoto (下鴨神社)

© Roman SUZUKI / Creative Commons, Kumano Hongu

Sitting proud on the southern banks of the Kamo river, Kamomioya-jinja is a symbol of the Shinto power that permeates every inch of Kyoto. The shrine is so old that it even predates the city's 794 establishments as Japan's national capital. It's surrounded by lush, well-preserved, untamed surrounds, including Tadasu no Mori, the forest which was protected during the city's modernization and is home to trees around six centuries old.

Sitting about three kilometers from Shimogamo Jinja is Kamigamo Jinja, a sister shrine of sorts, famous for its two sand cones that are said to serve a purification function for the shrine. The area here is stunning all year round, but is especially exciting to visit in May is it hosts one of Kyoto's biggest festivals, the Aoi Matsuri.

29. Izumo Taisha, Izumo (出雲大社)

The history of this imposing shrine is a little enigmatic, but definitely worth diving into if you do have an interest in the world of Shinto shrines. Found in the city of Izumo in Shimane Prefecture, it’s generally considered to be the oldest shrine in existence, the main torii gate is lined by local restaurants and stores, worth visiting if you’re passing through the area. There’s plenty to see on the temple grounds, but one site you can’t miss (quite literally) is the temple’s honden, which standing at 24 meters tall, is the tallest shrine building in Japan.

The exact date of the shrines foundation is not known, but it probably dates from a time before the arrival of Buddhism in Japan. To find out more about ancient Japanese history, check out the Best Places to Experience Ancient Japan.

30. Tsubaki Grand Shrine, Washington State, USA

If you can’t get to Japan, then maybe you can make a visit to Washington State instead to explore the Tsubaki Grand Shrine. Originally erected in Stockton, California in 1987, and later moved to Granite Falls, Washington, in 2001 this is an authentic functioning Shinto shrine, and a sister shrine of sorts to the Tsubaki Grand Shrine in Mie Prefecture.

Do you have a favorite or secret Shinto shrine? Let us know about it in the comments below!