📍 Atami, Shizuoka
A shrine long worshipped as the guardian deity of the land of Atami, known as a "deity of incoming fortune and good omens." Beside the main hall towers a sacred giant camphor tree designated a national Natural Monument, and the Atami City Tourism Association introduces the shrine as a power spot.
The enshrined deities are Yamato Takeru, Isotakeru-no-Mikoto and Onamuchi-no-Mikoto. According to tradition, in the Wado era something resembling a wooden sacred statue was caught in a fisherman's net in Atami Bay, and following the oracle of a child who called himself Isotakeru, it was enshrined in the hollow of a camphor tree at the present site. In ancient times it was a "himorogi" shrine, where divine spirits were invited into the camphor tree and worshipped.
A sacred tree designated a national Natural Monument, said to be over two thousand years old. Its trunk measures about 24 meters around.
According to local lore, walking once around the trunk adds a year to your life, and circling it while silently holding a wish in your heart helps that wish come together.
At night the Great Camphor Tree is lit up, and the grounds take on a different look depending on the time of day.
Worshipped as a deity of incoming fortune and good omens, it draws many visitors who pray for long life, recovery from illness and good health.
Based on information from the shrine or temple and official tourism sites.
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⛩️ 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 ・ 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.
⛩️ ShrineChugoku & Shikoku ・ Kotohira, Nakatado District, Kagawa
A shrine to the deity of the sea on the slopes of Mount Zozu, affectionately known as "Konpira-san." It is famous as a shrine you reach by climbing a long flight of stone steps one by one, and the official site of the Kagawa Prefecture Tourism Association introduces it as one of Kagawa's power spots.
⛩️ 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.
⛩️ ShrineChubu & Hokuriku ・ Nagano, Nagano
A shrine made up of five shrines, Okusha, Chusha, Hokosha, Kuzuryusha and Hinomikosha, scattered at the foot of the sacred Mount Togakushi. Connected to the Ama-no-Iwato myth, it is introduced on the official tourism sites of Nagano City and Nagano Prefecture as "a power spot of myth and faith." The "Five Shrines Pilgrimage," walking along cedar-lined approaches to visit all five, is well known.
⛩️ ShrineChubu & Hokuriku ・ Hakusan, Ishikawa
The head shrine of some three thousand Hakusan shrines across Japan, worshipping the sacred Mount Hakusan as its sacred body. Locals affectionately call it "Shirayama-san," and Ishikawa Prefecture's official tourism site introduces it, together with the shrine town of Tsurugi, as "the most powerful power spot in Hokuriku." The pure air of the main approach, surrounded by giant trees, is a big part of its appeal.
⛩️ ShrineChubu & Hokuriku ・ Azumino, Nagano
Made up of the main shrine in Azumino, the Okumiya (inner shrine) on the shore of Myojin Pond in Kamikochi, and the Minemiya (summit shrine) on the peak of Mount Okuhotaka, this shrine is known as the "chief guardian of the Japan Alps." Nagano Prefecture's official tourism site introduces it as a power spot, and the shrine's official website also describes the Myojin Pond area as a power spot. It is a place where the nature of the Northern Alps and faith are closely intertwined.
⛰️ NatureChubu & Hokuriku ・ Ina, Nagano
A mountain pass on the border between Ina City and Oshika Village, sitting directly on the Median Tectonic Line, one of Japan's largest fault lines. Known as a "zero magnetic field" spot, it is listed as a power spot on Nagano Prefecture's official tourism site as a place where the mind feels calm. Visitors come to spend quiet time at the "kiba" (energy spot) in the forest.
⛩️ ShrineChubu & Hokuriku ・ Fujinomiya, Shizuoka
Standing at the foot of Mount Fuji, this is the head shrine of all Sengen shrines in Japan. It worships Mount Fuji itself as its sacred body, and Shizuoka Prefecture's official tourism site introduces it as a power spot. On the grounds, such as at Wakutama Pond where Fuji's spring water wells up, you can feel the blessings of the mountain up close.
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.
