shrinesandtemples
One of Tokyo’s most important shrines, whose existence dates back to the Kamakura period, is located on a small hilltop of Nagatacho. Despite being at the heart of one of the world’s busiest cities, the surrounding greenery fills this Shinto shrine with peace and tranquility. It has a special connection to the Tokugawa clan. When Lord Ieyasu Tokugawa made Edo Castle his residence, Hie jinja (shrine) was revered as the “protector of the Tokugawa family.” Home to one of Tokyo’s biggest festivalsThe enshrined deity of Hie shrine is called Oyamakui no Kami (the guardian and protector of the city o...
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Tucked away in the forests of Mount Koshio, Oharano Shrine is a green retreat less than an hour away from Kyoto Station. Also known as Kyoto Kasuga, the shrine is a small piece of Nara in a Kyoto mountain suburb. The 83,000 square meter forest property offers gentle walking trails and a peaceful respite from the regular Kyoto crowds. A Branch of Nara’s Famous Kasuga TaishaIn 784 AD the then Emperor, Kanmu, moved the capital from Nara to Nagaoka-kyo. There, his Empress consort, Fujiwara no Otomuro, established Oharano Shrine. It was a place to worship her clan’s deities, enshrined at Kasuga Tai...
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Thousands of Inari shrines exist throughout Japan, but Taikodani Inari is considered one of the five most important. Situated in the small town of Tsuwano, also known as Little Kyoto, Taikodani Inari draws visitors with promises of traditional cultural experiences minus the crowds of larger cities. Built to defendTaikodani Inari sits on a mountain northeast of where Tsuwano Castle once stood. According to traditional beliefs, the northeastern direction is the kimon–a demon gate where bad spirits can enter one’s life and wreak havoc. To counter the unlucky power of the northeast, cities in Japa...
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The quiet grounds of Gessho-ji Temple house the graves of the Matsudaira Clan, feudal lords who once ruled Matsue city and its surrounding domain. The temple is not simply a gloomy graveyard, however. Carefully tended gardens, intricately decorated gravesites, and a local ghost story make Gessho-ji a unique historical site that displays Matsue city’s natural beauty and traditional culture. Guarded by a ghost storyThe most famous feature of Gessho-ji Temple is its giant turtle statue. Turtles are a symbol of longevity in Japan, and it is believed that touching this statue’s head will bring good...
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Himeji Castle is always an obvious point of conversation when people discuss Himeji. But, if you’re looking for an adventure a little off the beaten path, pay a visit to Engyoji Temple on Mount Shosha. Mount Shosha isn’t a widely known mountain and generally doesn’t attract many travelers. This makes it an exceptionally peaceful location to enjoy Japan’s lush nature and elaborate temple grounds. Visitors can leisurely view incredible fall foliage during the autumn season without the crowds. Engyoji TempleEngyoji Temple boasts over a thousand years of its legacy and is one of Japan’s best-kept ...
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While many shrines and temples exist in Japan, one of the most major historical shrines is hidden on an unassuming island in Hyogo prefecture. The shrine is called Izanagi Shrine and is intimately connected with Japanese mythology. Roots in Japanese mythologyPhoto by: WikiCommons/ Saigen Jiro According to the Japanese “Kuniumi” myth, the first island in Japan was none other than Awaji. The myth states that the island was formed by a god and goddess duo named Izanagi and Izanami. The shrine is located on Awaji island and is devoted to the deities. It is the sole grand shrine in Hyogo Prefecture...
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Nageiredo Hall is coined as Japan’s most hazardous national treasure. It is a wooden hall perched high on the cliffside of Mount Mitoku in Tottori prefecture. This structural wonder clings to the rocky cliff edge above the ravine beneath, which gives off an illusion that defies the laws of physics. Nageiredo Hall is a part of Sanbutsuji Temple and has been in existence for more than a thousand years, rightfully earning its place as a National Treasure of Japan. The title “Nageiredo” makes much more sense upon seeing the hall. There is a theory that someone long ago with supernatural powers ess...
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Created as a place of worship for Mount Fuji, the country’s most sacred mountain, visitors are drawn to Kawaguchi Asama Shrine in Yamanashi Prefecture for its humbling views and serene atmosphere. There are about 1,300 shrines around Japan with the name “Asama,” which means they are dedicated to Mount Fuji and connect with the appeasement or worship of volcanoes. These shrines are dedicated to Konohanasakuya-hime (cherry blossom princess), the goddess of volcanoes and Mount Fuji. Kawaguchi Asama Shrine is no different and was built in the year 865 as a means of appeasing the anger and eruption...
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Hakone Shrine in Kanagawa prefecture is one of the most famous shrines in the area because of its incredibly picturesque red torii gate on the water called the Torii of Peace. This torii gate is considered the crown jewel on Lake Ashinoko’s edge and can be seen from the boat cruise that makes its rounds on the lake. While Hakone Shrine boasts several large torii gates, the Torii of Peace is the crown jewel on Lake Ashinoko’s edge. Traditionally, a torii gate symbolizes the transition from the mundane to the sacred, and that is certainly something you can feel in its full force as you gaze thro...
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A quaint coastal town on the tip of the Kii peninsula in Mie Prefecture, Ise has been welcoming pilgrims to pay their respects at Japan’s holiest shrine for centuries. Local culture is characterized by a deep sense of empathy and respect, from the easily digestible udon catering to weary pilgrims to the heavy shimenawa ropes that hang in front of doorways marking each home as a sacred space. Ise ShrineIse shrine is the geographical and spiritual heart of Ise, making up around a fifth of its total area. It’s the most sacred Shinto site in Japan and is considered a spiritual place. Walking in si...
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