Shrines & Sacred Groves in Japan

The holiest Shinto shrine, rebuilt every 20 years for over 1,300 years. Dedicated to sun goddess Amaterasu. The inner shrine is off-limits to all but the Imperial family.

Famous for its 10,000+ vermillion torii gates snaking up Mount Inari. Dedicated to Inari, the Shinto god of rice and prosperity.

A Shinto shrine in a 170-acre forest of 120,000 trees in the heart of Tokyo, dedicated to Emperor Meiji and Empress Shōken.

A Shinto shrine commemorating 2.5 million Japanese war dead. Controversial for also enshrining convicted WWII war criminals.

A Shinto shrine dedicated to Hachiman, the god of warriors. Originally established by Minamoto clan, it was Kamakura's most important shrine.

A grand shrine beside Nachi Falls (133 meters) — Japan's tallest waterfall. Part of the UNESCO Kumano Sanzan sacred pilgrimage route.

Houses the world's largest bronze Buddha statue (15 meters) inside the world's largest wooden building. Deer roam freely in its park.

A Shinto shrine built over water on Miyajima island, appearing to float during high tide. Known for its iconic floating torii gate.

A Buddhist temple with a 13-meter wooden stage jutting over a hillside — built without a single nail. Famous for cherry blossoms and autumn leaves.

One of Japan's oldest and most important Shinto shrines, dedicated to Okuninushi, the god of relationships. Features the largest shimenawa rope in Japan.

A Shinto shrine built over the grave of scholar Sugawara no Michizane, deified as the god of learning. Students visit for exam success.

An ornately decorated Shinto shrine dedicated to Tokugawa Ieyasu, founder of the Tokugawa shogunate. Home of the original 'See no evil' monkeys.

Tokyo's oldest temple, dedicated to Kannon (goddess of mercy). Its Kaminarimon (Thunder Gate) with giant red lantern is Tokyo's most photographed site.

A Buddhist temple housing a 9.18-meter gilded wooden Kannon statue — one of the largest wooden sculptures in Japan.

Contains the ornate mausoleum of Tokugawa Ieyasu with over 500 carvings. The Yomeimon Gate is so beautiful it's called 'Higurashi-no-mon' — the gate you could look at until sundown.

Houses the Kusanagi no Tsurugi, one of three Imperial Regalia of Japan. The sword has never been publicly displayed.

Home to the Great Buddha of Kamakura — a 13.35-meter bronze Amida Buddha that has stood outdoors since a 1498 tsunami destroyed its hall.

A Buddhist temple housing exactly 1,001 life-sized Kannon statues in 10 rows — the most statues in any Japanese temple.