Japan has a lot of temples and shrines from Shinto's and Buddhist's culture. You can find one easily in Japan especially in the heart of Kyoto. These shrines have been registered as World Heritage Sites, so you might want to visit when you are in Japan. However, these beautiful shrines are not always in big cities, so if you are in small cities, you still have a chance to visit shrines.
You can also learn and experience Japanese culture such as learn how to pray at shrine, strolling around the shrines with Kimono or Yukata, and many more while you visiting popuar spiritual spots! Here is a list of 20 shrines and temples in Japan!
Sensoji Temple
Get a glimpse of Japanese culture at Sensoji Temple, the oldest temple in Tokyo, and Nakamise-dori with its many shops
More information
| Business Hours | Everyday ( 06:00 AM ~ 05:00 PM ) |
| Price | FREE |
| Address | Senso-ji Temple, 2-3-1 Asakusa, Taito-ku, Tokyo See map |
| Telephone | 03-3842-0181 |
| Website | http://www.senso-ji.jp/about/index_e.html |
Meiji Jingu Shrine
Feel the mystical energy of the Meiji Shrine
More information
| Business Hours | from dawn to dusk |
| Address | Meiji Jingu, 1-1 Yoyogikamizonocho, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo See map |
| Telephone | 03-3379-5511 |
| Website | http://www.meijijingu.or.jp/english/index.html |
Ise Jingu Naiku (Kotaijingu)
This is one of Japan’s most prominent holy lands. It enshrines the goddess Amaterasu-omikami, the tutelary god of the Japanese people
More information
| Address | 1 Uji Tachicho Ise-shi, Mie See map |
| Telephone | 0596-24-1111 |
| Website | http://www.isejingu.or.jp/en/index.html |
Kinkakuji
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The golden World Heritage site that glitters in the midst of each seasonal landscape
More information
| Business Hours | Everyday ( 09:00 AM ~ 05:00 PM ) |
| Price | Adults: 400 JPY Child: 300 JPY |
| Address | Kinkaku-ji, 1 Kinkakujicho, Kita-ku Kyoto-shi, Kyoto See map |
| Telephone | 075-461-0013 |
| Website | http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kinkaku-ji |
Fushimi Inari Shrine
A 1,300 year old shrine for the God of bountiful crops and prosperous business
More information
| Business Hours | Everyday ( 08:30 AM ~ 04:30 PM ) Shrine grounds are open 24 hours a day |
| Price | FREE |
| Address | Fushimi Inari Shrine, 68 Fukakusa Yabunouchicho Fushimi Ward, Kyoto, Kyoto See map |
| Telephone | 075-641-7331 |
| Website | http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fushimi_Inari-taisha |
Kumano Nachi Taisha
A sacred location in Kumano overlooking the scenic Nachi Falls
More information
| Business Hours | Everyday ( 08:00 AM ~ 05:00 PM ) |
| Price | FREE |
| Address | Kumanonachi Taisha Shrine, Wakayama See map |
| Telephone | 0735-55-0321 |
| Website | http://www.jnto.go.jp/eng/location/spot/shritemp/kumanonachitaisha.html |
Toshogu Shrine
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An extravagantly decorated World Heritage site
More information
| Business Hours | Everyday ( 08:00 AM ~ 04:00 PM ) |
| Price | Adults: 1,300 JPY Child: 450 JPY |
| Address | Nikkō Tōshō-gū, 2301 Sannai Nikko-shi Tochigi See map |
| Telephone | 0288-54-0560 |
| Website | http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nikk%C5%8D_T%C5%8Dsh%C5%8D-g%C5%AB |
Yahiko Shrine
A shrine standing at the foot of a tranquil mountain. It is a power spot for love and good fortune.
More information
| Business Hours | Everyday Shrine grounds 5am-6pm Treasure Hall 9am-4pm |
| Price | Admission into Treasure Hall Adults 300 yen High school/university students 200 yen Elementary/junior high school students 100 yen |
| Address | 2887-2, Yahiko, Yahikomura, Nishikanbara, Niigata See map |
| Telephone | 0256-94-2001 |
| Website | http://www.e-yahiko.com/english-welcome |
Zuigan-ji Temple
A National Treasure, built by Masamune Date, with the air of the gorgeous Momoyama culture.
More information
| Business Hours | Everyday ( 08:00 AM ~ 03:30 PM ) |
| Price | Adults: 700 JPY Child: 400 JPY |
| Address | 91 Chonai, Matsushima, Matsushima-machi Miyagi-gun, Miyagi See map |
| Telephone | 022-354-3218 |
Ninjadera
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Myoryuji, commonly known as Ninjadera, is full of protective mechanisms for the feudal lords
More information
| Business Hours | Everyday ( 09:00 AM ~ 04:00 PM ) |
| Price | Adults: 800 JPY Child: 600 JPY |
| Address | 1-2-12 Nomachi, Kanazawa-shi, Ishikawa See map |
| Telephone | 076-241-0888 |
| Website | http://www.myouryuji.or.jp/en.html |
Kiyomizu-dera
Kiyomizu-dera is Kyoto’s most popular tourist attraction
More information
| Business Hours | Everyday ( 06:00 AM ~ 05:30 PM ) |
| Price | Adults: 300 JPY Child: 200 JPY |
| Address | 1-294 Kiyomizu, Higashiyama-ku Kyoto-shi, Kyoto See map |
| Telephone | 075-551-1234 |
| Website | http://www.kiyomizudera.or.jp/lang/01.html |
Sanjusangen-do
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A museum of Buddhist statues – 1001 life size statues of Senju Kannon
More information
| Business Hours | Everyday ( 09:00 AM ~ 04:00 PM ) |
| Price | Adults: 600 JPY Child: 300 JPY |
| Address | Rengeoin Sanjusangendo, 657 Sanjusangendomawari, Higashiyama Ward, Kyoto, Kyoto Prefecture See map |
| Telephone | 075-561-0467 |
| Website | http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sanj%C5%ABsangen-d%C5%8D |
Kumano Nachi Taisha
A sacred location in Kumano overlooking the scenic Nachi Falls
More information
| Business Hours | Everyday ( 08:00 AM ~ 05:00 PM ) |
| Price | FREE |
| Address | Kumanonachi Taisha Shrine, Wakayama See map |
| Telephone | 0735-55-0321 |
| Website | http://www.jnto.go.jp/eng/location/spot/shritemp/kumanonachitaisha.html |
Kasuga Taisha
The gods are there among the tranquil forest and the radiant red shrine
More information
| Business Hours | April - September: 6:00 AM - 6:00 PM October - March: 6:30 AM - 5:00 PM Special admission to the front of the Main Sanctuary: 8:30 AM - 4:00 PM Kasugataisha Museum: 10:00 AM - ５:00 PM Meoto Daikokusha: 9:00 AM- 4:30 PM Botanical Garden: March - November 9:00AM - 5:00PM December - February 9:00AM - 4:30PM (Opening hours may vary due to ceremonies or events) Special admission area closed from around March 8 - March 13 and around December 20 - January 7 It is also closed from 9:40 AM - 12:00 PM on the following days: The 1st, 11th, and 21st day of each month, the Coming-of-Age Day in January, Setsubun in February, February 17, March 14 and 15, April 3, the third Friday of May, May 5, May 10, August 7, August 15, October 9, November 3 and 23, December 17. (Closing hours may vary) May be closed at times other than those above for irregular ceremonies. |
| Price | Adults: 500 YEN Kasugataisha Museum Adults: 500 YEN College/High school students: 300 YEN Junior/Elementary school students: 200 YEN Man’yo Botanical Garden Adults: 500 YEN Children: 250 YEN |
| Address | Kasuga-taisha 160 Kasuganocho Nara, Nara See map |
| Telephone | 0742-22-7788 |
| Website | http://www.kasugataisha.or.jp/about/index_en.html |
Mitaki-dera Temple
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This temple with more than 300 serenely standing stone Buddha statues, is located close to downtown Hiroshima
More information
| Business Hours | Everyday March-November AM8:00～PM5:30 December-February AM8:00～PM5:00 |
| Price | FREE |
| Address | Mitaki-dera, Hiroshima, Hiroshima Prefecture See map |
| Telephone | 082-237-0811 |
| Website | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mitaki-dera |
Hakone Shrine
The torii gate built in the lake is mysterious. Feel the spiritual energy emanating at Hakone Shrine.
More information
| Price | FREE |
| Address | Hakone jinja, 80-1 Motohakone Hakone-machi Ashigarashimo-gun Kanagawa See map |
| Telephone | 0460-83-7123 |
| Website | http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hakone_Shrine |
Tocho-ji Temple
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See the amazing 10.8 meter tall Fukuoka Daibutsu (Great Buddha Statue). Test your luck out with the pilgrimage of Heaven and Hell
More information
| Business Hours | Everyday ( 09:00 AM ~ 05:00 PM ) |
| Address | 2-4 Gokushocho, Hakataku, Fukuoka See map |
| Telephone | 092-291-4459 |
Engaku-ji Temple
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A grand Zen temple that has retained its charm from the Kamakura Era. It must be seen for its National Treasures and fall foliage
More information
| Business Hours | Everyday ( 08:00 AM ~ 04:00 PM ) |
| Price | Adults: 300 JPY Child: 100 JPY |
| Address | 409 Yamanochi, Kamakura-shi, Kanagawa See map |
| Telephone | 0467-22-0478 |
Seisui-ji Temple
This ancient temple in the lush green mountain was built in the Heian Era to resemble Kiyomizu-dera Temple in Kyoto
More information
| Business Hours | Weekdays ( 09:00 AM ~ 06:00 PM ) [close] Open to visitors |
| Address | 124-1 Niiboono, Sado, Niigata See map |
| Telephone | 0259-22-2167 |
Natadera Temple
A sacred place that has existed since before Christ. Natadera is a cave temple called “The Mother’s Womb”
More information
| Business Hours | Everyday Summer 3/1 ～ 11/30 8:30am - 4:45 pm Winter 12/1 ～ 2/28 8:45am - 4:30 pm |
| Price | Adults: 600 JPY Child: 300 JPY Kuri Shoin/Garden General admission + 200 yen (toddlers and elementary school students are free) |
| Address | 那谷寺 Yu 122, Komatsu, Ishikawa See map |
| Telephone | 0761 -65-2111 |
| Website | http://www.natadera.com/en/ |
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