The sacred approach to Tosa Shrine (image) Tosa Shrine, located in Ichinomiya, Kochi City, is a sacred sanctuary with over 1,400 years of history as the Ichinomiya (first-ranked shrine) of Tosa Province. Affectionately called “Shinane-sama” by locals, this shrine attracts numerous visitors during the annual “Shinane Festival” held every August. The moment you step into […]
Located on the shores of Lake Ashi in Hakone Town, Ashigarashimo District, Kanagawa Prefecture, Hakone Shrine is one of the Kanto region’s premier power spots with approximately 1,250 years of history. Founded in 757 (Tenpyo-hoji 1) by the monk Mangan Shonin, it has long been revered as the “Guardian of All Kanto” by samurai warriors
Located on Enoshima Island, the symbol of Shonan in Fujisawa City, Kanagawa Prefecture, Enoshima Shrine is a venerable shrine known as one of Japan’s Three Great Benzaiten. Said to have been founded during the reign of Emperor Kinmei approximately 1,500 years ago, this ancient shrine comprising three sanctuaries—Hetsu-miya, Nakatsu-miya, and Okutsu-miya—draws approximately 1.5 million worshippers
Located in the heart of Chitose City, Hokkaido, on a verdant hill leading to Lake Shikotsu, Chitose Shrine (Chitose Jinja) is a venerable shrine with approximately 300 years of history. Just 15 minutes by car from New Chitose Airport, stepping into the shrine grounds instantly envelops visitors in a serene atmosphere. The enshrined deities are
Perched on a hilltop in Naha City, Shikina-gu is one of the prestigious “Ryukyu Eight Shrines” (Ryukyu Hassha) dating back to the Ryukyu Kingdom era. Legend holds it was founded following the successful prayer for a prince’s birth by King Sho Seni, son of King Sho En who established the Second Sho Dynasty, giving the
One of “Japan’s Three Great Inari Shrines” alongside Fushimi Inari Taisha and Kasama Inari Shrine, Yutoku Inari Shrine is a magnificent sanctuary nestled in the mountains of Kashima City, Saga Prefecture. Approximately 3 million worshippers visit annually, making it second only to Dazaifu Tenmangu in Kyushu for visitor numbers. The vermillion-lacquered tower gate and main
Find Your Guide | If you are… | Read this guide | |—————|—————–| | Onmyoji/FGO/anime fan | [Onmyoji Fan Pilgrimage Guide](/en/powerspot/seimei-shrine-onmyoji-pilgrimage-en/) | | Interested in history & blessings | Continue reading below | — Seimei Shrine in Kyoto’s Kamigyo ward is dedicated to Abe no Seimei (921–1005), the most powerful onmyoji (yin-yang master) of the
Japan’s Only Shrine That Floats on the Sea — And How Tides Change Everything The Great Torii of Itsukushima Shrine standing in the Seto Inland Sea, with Mount Misen rising behind “Can I walk to the torii gate?” Yes — but only at low tide. The difference between high and low tide at Miyajima is
A five-minute drive from Suwa Interchange on the Chuo Expressway, deep within a grove of towering cedars, stands the Ichi-no-Onbashira (First Sacred Pillar)—pointing straight toward the heavens. This is the symbol of Suwa faith: a total of 16 sacred pillars, four placed at the four corners of each of the four shrines. Suwa Taisha is
Standing as the sacred guardian of Mount Ishizuchi (1,982m)—Western Japan’s highest peak—Ishizuchi Shrine boasts over 1,300 years of history as one of Japan’s Seven Sacred Mountains. Legend holds that the mountain was first opened by En-no-Gyoja, the founder of Shugendo mountain asceticism. During the annual “Oyama-biraki” mountain opening ceremony in July, the pilgrimage routes are