Theme guide
Shrines & temples
Shrines are Shinto and have torii gates; temples are Buddhist. Both welcome visitors, and a few simple steps make a visit feel right.
- Places to visit
- 835
- Protected site
- 232
Shrine or temple?
A shrine (jinja) is Shinto: look for the torii gate at the entrance. A temple (tera) is Buddhist, usually with a large gate, a main hall and often a pagoda. Many towns have both side by side.
At a shrine
- At the water basin, rinse your left hand, then your right, then pour water into your left hand to rinse your mouth. Don't put the ladle to your lips.
- At the hall, bow twice, clap twice, make your wish, then bow once more.
At a temple you don't clap. Just put your hands together quietly.
Good to know
- Many shrines and temples sell charms (omamori) and paper fortunes (omikuji).
- Collect goshuin: many shrines and temples write calligraphy and stamp a goshuin book for a small fee.
- Dress modestly and keep your voice low. Some halls don't allow photos inside, so check the signs.
Where to find the most
Places to start with
Up to three places per prefecture, nationally protected sites first.
Region
141 places match
- HokkaidoProtected siteHokkaido Gokoku Shrine北海道護國神社A Shinto shrine in Hokkaido, Japan.In Asahikawa
- HokkaidoTokuyama Daijingu徳山大神宮A Shinto shrine in Hokkaido, Japan.
- HokkaidoEbeotsu Shrine江部乙神社A Shinto shrine in Hokkaido, Japan.
- AomoriProtected siteKabushima Shrine蕪嶋神社A Shinto shrine in Aomori Prefecture, Japan.
- AomoriTakateru Shrine高照神社A Shinto shrine in Aomori Prefecture, Japan.
- AomoriTowada Shrine十和田神社A Shinto shrine in Aomori Prefecture, Japan.
- IwateProtected siteHitaka Shrine日高神社A Shinto shrine in Iwate Prefecture, Japan.In Oshu
- IwateProtected siteHakusan Shrine白山神社 (平泉町)A Shinto shrine in Iwate Prefecture, Japan.
- IwateHanamaki Shrine花巻神社A Shinto shrine in Iwate Prefecture, Japan.
- MiyagiProtected siteOsaki Hachimangu大崎八幡宮A Shinto shrine in Miyagi Prefecture, Japan.In Aoba Ward, Sendai
- MiyagiProtected siteTsushima Shrine津島神社 (登米市)A Shinto shrine in Miyagi Prefecture, Japan.
- MiyagiProtected siteShiogama Shrine鹽竈神社A Shinto shrine in Miyagi Prefecture, Japan.
- AkitaProtected siteOhirumemuchi Shrine大日霊貴神社A Shinto shrine in Akita Prefecture, Japan.
- AkitaProtected siteKoshio Shrine古四王神社A Shinto shrine in Akita Prefecture, Japan.
- AkitaSoegawa Shrine副川神社A Shinto shrine in Akita Prefecture, Japan.
- YamagataProtected siteUesugi Shrine上杉神社A notable old tree in Yamagata Prefecture, Japan.
- YamagataProtected siteHaguro-san Five-storied Pagoda羽黒山五重塔A pagoda in Yamagata Prefecture, Japan.In Tsuruoka
- YamagataProtected siteKinbo Shrine金峯神社 (鶴岡市)A Shinto shrine in Yamagata Prefecture, Japan.In Tsuruoka
- FukushimaProtected siteNihonmatsu Shrine二本松神社A Shinto shrine in Fukushima Prefecture, Japan.
- FukushimaProtected siteKashima Daijingu鹿島大神宮A Shinto shrine in Fukushima Prefecture, Japan.In Koriyama
- FukushimaToshogu Shrine東照宮 (会津若松市)A Shinto shrine in Fukushima Prefecture, Japan.
- IbarakiProtected siteDaiho-hachimangu大宝八幡宮A Shinto shrine in Ibaraki Prefecture, Japan.
- IbarakiProtected siteHitachi Kokubun-ji Temple常陸国分寺A Buddhist temple in Ibaraki Prefecture, Japan.
- IbarakiProtected siteHitachi Sosha-gu Shrine常陸國總社宮A Shinto shrine in Ibaraki Prefecture, Japan.
Questions travellers ask
Can I visit a shrine if I'm not Shinto?
Yes. Shrines and temples are open to everyone. Just follow the etiquette and the signs.
How do I pray at a shrine?
Rinse your hands and mouth at the water basin, then at the hall bow twice, clap twice, make your wish and bow once.
Other themes
Sources
We checked the facts on this page against these sources.