I knew I was going to love the Sasuke Inari Shrine from the moment I saw the long tunnel of red lacquer torii gates leading into the deep, dark woods. But nothing prepared me for the mossy, foxy, w…
Kamishikimi Kumanoimasu Shrine
Phase 1 : Research 1. Religion - Shinto 2. Outline - 2 .1 Origin and History 2 .2 Geography of Believers and Sites of...
For those looking to delve into Japan’s spiritual side, visiting these five important Shinto shrines may help you learn about the country’s ancient beliefs.
Sasuke Inari shrine, Kamakura, Japan.
This has to be the most perfect spot for a cat to shelter in.
Intricate and fascinating details from the area around Mount Fuji including the ritual of visiting a shinto shrine illustrated by artist Jonathan Chapman, painted by hand with acrylic and ink on paper.
Every component of a Shintō shrine exists for a reason, and understanding the significance and function of each part is key to a more meaningful shrine experience. In this series of illustrated guides, Shintō priest and writer Toya Manabu introduces the elements of the Shintō shrine in the order in which they appear to you, the visitor, from the distinctive torii gate to the shamusho, the shrine office.
We had only 24 hours to explore the historic city of Kyoto so we set out to make the most of our limited time by exploring all the top sites.
A helpful guide to Shinto shrines, what to do when you visit, and 30 must-see shrines you should check out!
Motonosumi Inari Shrine
Uncover the simple beauty of Shintoism. Explore the core beliefs, guiding principles, and daily practices that define this spiritual path.
Japan is a country rich in history and culture, offering numerous historical sites that are worth exploring. Some of the best historical sites to visit include the ancient capital of Kyoto, known for its numerous temples, shrines, and traditional architecture.
Kunozan Toshogu is the first Shinto shrine dedicated to Tokugawa Ieyasu. It is rumored that Ieyasu’s body is actually buried at Kunozan and not the better known Nikko Toshogu.
2012, Nikon D90 with AF-S DX NIKKOR 35mm f/1.8G
The Japanese religion called Shinto may seem clouded in mystery to many non-Japanese. Indeed, even to Japanese people, there are many aspects of Shinto that are not well-understood, particularly the meaning behind the various Shinto symbols. Learning a little about Shinto will lead to many questions: Why are the gates red? What is the relevance of the lightning-shaped paper decorations? And why are there ropes wrapped around trees? Today we will be diving into the world of Shinto, discussing its background and the hidden meanings behind some of Shinto's more striking symbols.
Shinto is considered the main religion of Japan, along with Buddhism. Almost 80% of the country's population participates in Shinto practices or rituals. Plus, just to give you an idea, the country is home to more than 80,000 Shinto shrines. But, after all, what exactly is it and what
Torii, symbolic gateway marking the entrance to the sacred precincts of a Shintō shrine in Japan. The torii, which has many variations, characteristically consists of two cylindrical vertical posts topped by a crosswise rectangular beam extending beyond the posts on either side and a second
Learn Japanese temple and shrine etiquette with advice from a Shinto shrine maiden, and learn how these two systems of belief have shaped Japan
Takashima, Shiga, Japan
1. Itsukushima Shrine, Miyajima Itsukushima Shrine is a Shinto shrine on the island of Itsukushima, best known for its "floating" torii gate. It is in the city of Hatsukaichi in Hiroshima Prefecture in Japan. The Itsukushima shrine is one of Japan's most popular tourist attractions. It is most famous for its dramatic gate, or torii on the outskirts of the shrine, the sacred peaks of Mount Misen, extensive forests, and its ocean view. 2. Mt. Yoshino Mount Yoshino is a mountain located in the town of Yoshino in Yoshino District, Nara Prefecture, Japan that is a major religious and literary site. It is renowned for its cherry blossoms and attracts many visitors every spring, when the trees are in blossom. Mount Yoshino (吉野山, Yoshinoyama), in Nara Prefecture, has been Japan's most famous cherry blossom viewing spot for many centuries. 3. Lake Kussharo, Hokkaido Lake Kussharo is a caldera lake in Akan National Park, eastern Hokkaidō, Japan. As with many geographic names in Hokkaidō, the name derives from the Ainu language. It is the largest caldera lake in Japan in terms of surface area, and sixth largest lake in Japan. This lake is the largest of Japan's volcanic caldera lakes, with a perimeter of 57 kilometers and a maximum depth of 125 meters, making it notable even on a global scale. Hot springs and camp sites can be found on its shores. 4. Gion Geisha District, Kyoto The most popular area of Gion is Hanami-koji Street from Shijo Avenue to kenninji temple. A nice (and expensive) place to dine, the street and its side alleys are lined with preserved machiya houses many of which now function as restaurants, serving Kyoto style kaiseki ryori(Japanese haute cuisine) and other types of local and international meals. 5. Ashikaga Flower Park, Ashigaka Japan may be best known for its cherry blossoms, but Ashikaga Flower Park is famous for its fuji or wisteria flowers. The wisteria are grown on overhead frames so the blossoms hang over head like wisteria stalactites. Beautiful by day, they are also illuminated by night. Charming flower gardens offering 8 seasonal thematic displays & a spring wisteria festival. 6. Kumano Nachi Taisha Shrine and Nachi Falls, Wakayama Prefecture Kumano Nachi Taisha is a Shinto shrine and part of the UNESCO-designated World Heritage Sacred Sites and Pilgrimage Routes in the Kii Mountain Range of Japan. The Kumano Kodō route connects it to other sites under the same classification, which are primarily located in Wakayama Prefecture, Japan It is said that it was founded in 317 in legend. It is sure that it had existed in the 8th century. The first shrine was built after the construction of the other two shrines of Kumano Sanzan (Kumano Hongu Taisha, Kumano Hayatama Taisha). 7. Blue Pond, Hokkaido Blue Pond is a man-made pond feature in Biei, Hokkaido, Japan. It is the result of works on the Biei River, carried out after the 1988 eruption of Mount Tokachi, to protect the town of Biei from volcanic mudflows The Shirogane Blue Pond gets its water from the nearby Shirahige Falls. In the waterfall, the water mixes with aluminum from the cliff it flows through. Once the aluminum infused water settles in the pond, it reflects and breaks the sunlight in a unique way, giving it a vivid blue hue. 8. Mt. Fuji Japan’s Mt. Fuji is an active volcano about 100 kilometers southwest of Tokyo. Commonly called “Fuji-san,” it’s the country’s tallest peak, at 3,776 meters. A pilgrimage site for centuries, it’s considered one of Japan’s 3 sacred mountains, and summit hikes remain a popular activity. Its iconic profile is the subject of numerous works of art, notably Edo Period prints by Hokusai and Hiroshige. Mount Fuji is an active volcano that last erupted in 1707. On December 16, 1707, scientists recorded the last confirmed eruption of Mount Fuji, Japan's highest point. ... Fuji has erupted at various times starting around 100,000 years ago—and is still an active volcano today 9. Bioluminescent Rocks, Okayama The key to finding them is visiting a sandy beach. They dig down into the sand along the foreshore during the day, and come out to feed at night. Relatively common on beaches in the Seto Inland Sea throughout summer, their habitat stretches all along this coastline, from Kyushu to Awajishima. If you’re lucky, you may be able to catch one of them in the water. When it eventually escapes, there is a sudden burst of light rushing from your hands — a stream of blue energy. It’s like having a temporary superpower. 10. Daigo-ji Temple, Kyoto Daigo-ji is a Shingon Buddhist temple in Fushimi-ku, Kyoto, Japan. Its main devotion is Yakushi. Daigo, literally "ghee", is used figuratively to mean "crème de la crème" and is a metaphor of the most profound part of Buddhist thoughts Daigoji Temple (醍醐寺) is a temple complex located in the southeast of Kyoto city. It’s considered as one of the most important temples of the Shingon sect of Japanese Buddhism and it’s a designated world heritage site. The temple is famous as where the feudal lords of Sengoku period, Hideyoshi Toyotomi, used to hold a Hanami (cherry blossom viewing) party with over 1,000 people in the 16th century.
