An ancient shrine in the heart of Sannomiya, Kobe, said to be the origin of the name "Kobe." Hyogo Prefecture's official tourism site introduces it as "Kobe's foremost power spot," and many people visit it as a shrine for matchmaking (enmusubi).
The enshrined deity is Wakahirume-no-Mikoto, regarded as the gentle spirit (nigimitama) of Amaterasu Omikami. It is a shrine with a long history and is said to be the origin of the place name Kobe.
The shrine grove, known as a battlefield of the Genpei War. Lush greenery spreads out here in a way that is hard to believe in the middle of the city.
A fortune slip whose writing appears when you dip it into the pond in Ikuta Forest.
These include Owatatsumi Shrine dedicated to the god of the sea, Matsuo Shrine dedicated to the god of sake, and an Inari shrine with a row of vermilion torii gates.
Known as a shrine of the deity of matchmaking, it draws many visitors who pray for success in love.
Based on information from the shrine or temple and official tourism sites.
You can receive goshuin (shrine stamps) featuring designs of Ikuta Forest and the vermilion torii gates.
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PR9.0Prices and availability are shown on Agoda.
⛩️ ShrineTohoku ・ Hirosaki, Aomori
A shrine at the foot of Mount Iwaki, known as "Tsugaru Fuji," affectionately called "Oiwaki-sama" or "Oyama" by locals. Aomori Prefecture's official tourism site introduces it as a power spot rooted in mountain worship.
⛩️ ShrineTohoku ・ Tsuruoka, Yamagata
Together with Mount Gassan and Mount Yudono, Mount Haguro forms the "Dewa Sanzan" (Three Mountains of Dewa), a sacred site of mountain worship long known as a center of Shugendo ascetic practice. Tsuruoka City's tourism site introduces it as a power spot, and at the Sanjin Gosaiden hall on the summit you can pay respects to the deities of all three mountains at once.
⛩️ ShrineTokyo & Around ・ Nikko, Tochigi
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.
⛩️ ShrineTokyo & Around ・ Chiyoda, Tokyo
A shrine near Iidabashi Station that enshrines the deities of Ise Jingu. It is known for blessings of matchmaking, and the official website of the Chiyoda City Tourism Association introduces it as a "Chiyoda power spot" bustling with visitors hoping for a good match.
⛩️ ShrineTokyo & Around ・ 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.
⛩️ ShrineChubu & Hokuriku ・ Yahiko Village, Niigata
The Ichinomiya (highest-ranking shrine) of the former Echigo Province, standing in a deep forest with Mount Yahiko behind it, affectionately known as "Oyahiko-sama." Niigata Prefecture's official tourism site introduces it as "one of the prefecture's top power spots," and because it enshrines a married couple of deities, it is also popular as a power spot for love.
🛕 TempleKansai ・ Sakyo Ward, Kyoto
A temple spread across Mount Kurama in northern Kyoto, famous as the setting of the legend in which the young Ushiwakamaru (Minamoto no Yoshitsune) trained with tengu (mountain goblins). The official site of the Kyoto City Tourism Association introduces the "Kinone-michi" (tree-root path), the mountain trail running from Kurama-dera to Kifune Shrine, as a popular power spot.
⛩️ ShrineKansai ・ Sakurai, Nara
A shrine that worships Mount Miwa itself as its sacred body, regarded as one of the oldest shrines in Japan. Nara Prefecture's official tourism site introduces it with phrases such as "Power Spot Miwa" and "all of Mount Miwa is a power spot."
⛩️ ShrineKansai ・ Ise, Mie
A shrine centered on two main sanctuaries, the Naiku (Kotai Jingu, the Inner Shrine) and the Geku (Toyouke Daijingu, the Outer Shrine), long famous as the destination of the "Oise-mairi" pilgrimage. Mie Prefecture's official tourism site presents the Geku and Naiku, standing in vast and mystical forests, as the heart of a power spot tour.
⛩️ ShrineKansai ・ Hongu, Tanabe, Wakayama
One of the Kumano Sanzan (Three Grand Shrines of Kumano), regarded as the head shrine of all Kumano shrines in Japan. Wakayama Prefecture's official tourism site introduces it as a destination on a "power spot tour" from Ise Jingu to the Kumano Sanzan, and notes that Oyunohara, the shrine's former site, is also popular as a power spot.
⛩️ ShrineKansai ・ Nachikatsuura, Higashimuro District, Wakayama
One of the Kumano Sanzan (Three Grand Shrines of Kumano), which can be visited together with its separate shrine, Hiro Shrine, whose sacred body is Nachi Falls, one of Japan's three most famous waterfalls. Wakayama Prefecture's official tourism site introduces it as a destination on a "power spot tour" of the Kumano Sanzan.
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.
