📍 Hakone, Ashigarashimo District, Kanagawa
Standing on the shore of Lake Ashi, this shrine has long been revered as "Kanto Soumoju Hakone Daigongen," the guardian deity of the Kanto region. Kanagawa Prefecture's tourism site introduces it as "Hakone's foremost power spot," surrounded by Lake Ashi, an avenue of old cedars and a pure stand of Japanese stewartia trees designated a Natural Monument.
Three deities are enshrined as Hakone no Okami: Ninigi-no-Mikoto, Konohanasakuya-hime and Hikohohodemi-no-Mikoto. According to tradition, the monk Mangan Shonin built the shrine on its present site on the shore of Lake Ashi in the Nara period after receiving an oracle from the Hakone deity, and in the Kamakura period Minamoto no Yoritomo was a devoted worshipper.
A vermilion-lacquered torii gate standing in Lake Ashi. On clear days you can enjoy the view of the gate and Mount Fuji reflected on the water.
A stone-stepped approach lined with cedars hundreds of years old, wrapped in a solemn, hushed atmosphere.
A shrine on the grounds of Hakone Shrine dedicated to Kuzuryu Okami, the nine-headed dragon deity that guards Lake Ashi. Some people also visit its main shrine on the lakeshore.
A grove of Japanese stewartia trees behind the shrine buildings, designated a Natural Monument.
It is worshipped as a "deity who opens up good fortune," with blessings associated with good luck and warding off misfortune, the fulfillment of heartfelt wishes, traffic safety and matchmaking. Visitors come to Kuzuryu Shrine to pray for business prosperity, financial fortune and a good match.
Based on information from the shrine or temple and official tourism sites.
Hakone Shrine offers its stamps as "goshinin" (sacred seals), and goshinin are also available for Kuzuryu Shrine and Hakone Motomiya.
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An ancient shrine that marks the beginning of worship on Mount Nikko, with Mount Nantai (Mount Futara) as its sacred body. It is one of the "Shrines and Temples of Nikko" World Heritage Site. Tochigi Prefecture's tourism site introduces it as a power spot where the deity of "victory" grants strength, and a Nikko City Tourism Association feature calls it a power spot popular with people hoping for a good match.
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A shrine dedicated to Emperor Meiji and Empress Shoken, spreading out right next to Harajuku Station in Tokyo. It is wrapped in a deep forest that is hard to believe exists in the city center, and the Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO) introduces Kiyomasa's Well (Kiyomasa-no-ido) in the Inner Garden as a power spot visited by people seeking energy to heal body and mind.
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History and what each place is known for are based on the shrine or temple’s official site and on local government and tourism association information. Opening hours, fees and limited-time items are not listed — please check the official site before you go.
