Various shrines exist in various parts of Japan.
Each shrine enshrines a different deity.
We would like to introduce some famous shrines in Japan.
(1) Ise Jingu (Ise City, Mie Prefecture)
The Ise Jingu Shrine is dedicated to Amaterasu Omikami, the deity of the imperial family. Amaterasu’s blessings include national security, good luck, victory, fortune, and the fulfillment of one’s wishes.
(2) Izumo-taisha Shrine (Izumo City, Shimane Prefecture)
The deity of Izumo-taisha Shrine is Okuninushi no Mikoto.
He is the presiding deity of the Kunitsunokami, the deity who created the nation of Japan and laid the foundation for it. The shrine is famous for its benefits for marriage.
(3) Meiji Jingu Shrine (Shibuya Ward, Tokyo)
Meiji Jingu Shrine is dedicated to the 122nd Emperor Meiji and Empress Dowager Shoken as its deities.
The shrine is especially famous for its blessings for marriages and marital bliss due to the good relationship between Emperor Meiji and Empress Dowager Shoken.
(4) Itsukushima Shrine (Hatsukaichi City, Hiroshima Prefecture)
Munakata Sanjojin (Three Munakata Goddesses) are enshrined at Itsukushima Shrine. As the supreme deity of all “paths,” Munakata Sanjin is considered to be a deity to be prayed to for safe navigation and traffic safety.
(5) Nikko Toshogu Shrine (Nikko City, Tochigi Prefecture)
Ieyasu Tokugawa, the first shogun of the Edo Shogunate, is deified and enshrined at this shrine. Since the Tokugawa family is enshrined here, the shrine is famous for its work-related benefits, such as luck in success in business, luck in victory, and luck in rising in the world.
(6) Kasuga-taisha Shrine (Nara City, Nara Prefecture)
This is the head shrine of Kasuga Shrine, one of approximately 1,000 Kasuga shrines throughout Japan. It is registered as one of the “Cultural Properties of Ancient Nara” on UNESCO’s World Heritage List. The four main deities, Takemikazuchi no Mikoto, Kyotsunushi no Mikoto, Amanokoge no Mikoto, and Hime no Mikoto, are collectively called Kasuga no Kami, and the Fujiwara clan’s clan deity is enshrined here. The main benefits of the shrine are said to be marital bliss, marriage, traffic safety, and the fulfillment of various wishes.
(7) Sumiyoshi Taisha Shrine (Osaka City, Osaka Prefecture)
Sumiyoshi Taisha is a shrine dedicated to the three Tsutsuno-no-Mikoto (Soko-totsuno-Mikoto, Naka-totsuno-Mikoto, and Omote-totsuno-Mikoto), gods of the sea, and Empress Jingu, the god of diplomatic navigation and ports. The shrine is dedicated to the three Tsutsuno-no-Mikoto (Soko-tsutsu-no-Mikoto, Naka-tsutsu-no-Mikoto, and Omototsutsu-no-Mikoto) and Empress Jingu.
(8) Fushimi Inari-taisha Shrine (Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture)
Fushimi Inari Taisha is the head shrine of the Inari Shrine, which is said to have about 30,000 shrines throughout Japan. The shrine is especially famous for its Senbon-torii, or “thousand torii” gates.
The five main deities are Uganomitama no Okami, Sadahiko no Okami, Omiya-no-Me no Okami, Tanaka no Okami, and Shino no Okami. The gods are dedicated to a good harvest and prosperous business. The fox was considered the guardian deity of the Inari Shrine. In the old days, fried rats were offered to the fox, but due to changes in the times, the present fried rats are now offered to the fox.
(9) Kashima Jingu Shrine (Kashima City, Ibaraki Prefecture)
There are approximately 600 Kashima shrines throughout Japan, mainly in the Tohoku and Kanto regions, with Kashima Jingu Shrine in Kashima City, Ibaraki Prefecture, serving as the head shrine.
Takemikazuchi is enshrined as the deity of the shrine.
The deity is believed to bring blessings for luck in victory, marriage, and easy childbirth.
(10) Atsuta Jingu (Nagoya City, Aichi Prefecture)
The Atsuta Jingu Shrine enshrines the sacred sword Kusanagi, one of the three sacred weapons, as well as Susanoo, Yamatotakeru, Miyasuhime, and Takeinadane, which means Susanoo, Amaterasu, and Takeinadane.
Atsuta Jingu Shrine is famous for its blessings of domestic safety and marriage.
How was it? Why not stop by when you visit Japan? Bring back a lot of blessings.
