Whether you’re a seasoned traveler or just starting to explore the world, it’s no secret that Japan is the kind of country that never fails to impress.
Awash with raw, rugged beauty and profound traditions that date back to several thousands of years ago, Japan is an absolute dream come true for the culturally inclined.
For many travelers, a trip to Japan ends up being a transformative journey that helps them connect with their spiritual side. Most tourists tend to flock to glitzier areas like Tokyo, and while the capital holds its fair share of treasures, we encourage you to venture off the beaten track in search of the (many) cultural gems speckled all over the country.
So, let’s take a look at some of the most amazing spiritual sites in Japan!
- Discover Tokyo ┃ Your Complete Travel Guide Tokyo Japan Vol.1
- Discover Tokyo ┃ Your Complete Travel Guide Tokyo Vol.2 – A Food Lovers’ Guide
- Discover Tokyo ┃ Your Complete Travel Guide Tokyo Vol.3 – A Food Lovers’ Guide
- Discover Tokyo ┃ VOL.4 ┃THE JAPAN FEEL DESTINATIONS – SHRINE, TEMPLES & ONSEN
- Discover Kyoto ┃ Your Complete Travel Guide Kyoto Japan
Wakayama | Koyasan - Where the Temples Beckon
Tucked away in the majestic mountains of the Wakayama Prefecture, Koyasan is revered as one of the most sacred sites in Japan. Also known as Mount Koya, the secluded temple town of Koyasan is steeped in traditions and history.
As the center of Shingo Buddhism, Koyasan is the kind of place that will fill you with a sense of awe right from the moment that you cross through the thick cedar forests that lead to the town. Because it’s so significant to Buddhism, you’ll find plenty (and we do mean, plenty) of ancient temples to explore in town.
The town dates all the way back to the 9th century when a monk known as Kobo Daishi traveled from China to introduce Shingon Buddhism to Japan. To this day, the monk remains a prominent figure in Koyasan. You can still visit his grave at Okunoin, one of the largest cemeteries in Japan.
For over 1,000 years now, his mausoleum has drawn plenty of pilgrims from all around the country. In fact, the Kumano Kodo pilgrimage trail that traverses Koyasan was officially recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site back in 2004.
For travelers who’d like to learn more about Japanese cultures and traditions, Koyasan is home to over a hundred temples. What makes this town ultra special though is that it’s one of the rare few places on earth where you can spend the night in a temple. You’ll enjoy monk-style lodgings (known as Shukubo) where you can experience daily prayers and classic vegetarian Buddhist cuisine.
After exploring the temples and marveling at their intricate architecture and accents, we also recommend a visit to the Reihokan Museum which houses numerous cultural treasures. You may also wish to catch a Buddhist-theme lecture at Daishi Kyokai, a cultural center which regularly hosts traditional activities and talks.
Getting there
From Tokyo’s Nara Station, you can always take a JR train to Hashimoto Station. From there, take the transfer to the Nankai Koya Line. Get off at Gokurakubashi and hop on a cable car that’ll take you directly into Koyasan. The fastest train journey can take around 5 hours and there are 52 transfers per day- perfect for a day trip to Koyasan!
Wakayama | Nachi Waterfall: Serene Spot for Nature Lovers
Fans of the great outdoors, this one’s for you!
An absolute gem of a place hidden near Nachikatsuura, a countryside fishing town that’s home to around 18,000 inhabitants. Because it’s managed to stay off the main tourist trail, you definitely won’t face those large gaggles of visitors that you might find in more popular spots. As such, this is the kind of place where you can get away from the daily grind and relax in a soothing setting.
Before you make your way to the magnificent falls, we suggest that you take a moment to explore the other treasures nestled in Nachikatsuura, like the Daimonzaka walk. This beautiful trail leads to the Seigantoji Temple and Kumano Nachi Taisha, a Shinto shrine that’s found 350 meters above sea level – literally midway up Nachi mountain.
The Daimonzaka trail eventually ends up at the Nachi Waterfall, a spot that’s as picturesque as it’s significant. The tallest waterfall in Japan, Nachi is believed to be where the Shinto Deity Hiryu Gongen resides.
Visually speaking, the waterfall offers quite a feast for the eyes as it tumbles from 133 meters high in an uninterrupted drop. The fall is fed by a spring found in a lush, primeval forest. There’s an observation deck found at the bottom of the fall if you want to get closer to this magnificent spectacle of nature. Access to the observation deck is chargeable but if you ask us, it’s entirely worth the experience! From the observation area, you’ll even be able to spot the traditional Japanese shide (paper streamers cut in zig-zag pattern) that symbolize the Shinto deity’s presence.
Because it’s part of the Kii Mountain Range Sacred Sites and Pilgrimage Routes, the Nachi Waterfall is also recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Nowadays, the waterfall also doubles as a Zen meditation retreat in Japan.
Getting there
The journey from Tokyo to Nachi Waterfall can take 7 to 8 hours and there are 23 transfers per day. From Tokyo Station, you can grab a train to reach Nachi-no-Taki-mae via Nagoya, Kiikatsuura, and Kii-Katsuura stations. It’s a long trip so we recommend that you spend the night in Nachikatsuura before heading out to the waterfall in the morning.
Mie | Ise Jingu - A Shrine Complex like No Other
Commanding an amazing location in the Mie Prefecture, Ise Jingu is another great spot that should feature on your list of spiritual sites to visit in Japan – especially if you’re interested in the local culture.
Dedicated to the sun goddess Amaterasu, Ise Jingu (often referred to as Jingu) is actually a sprawling complex that’s made up of numerous Shinto shrines. These are centered around two primary shrines, Geku and Naiku. Ise Jingu was originally established by Princess Yamatohime no Mikoto in 4 BCE. For twenty years, the Princess wandered the area, looking for the ideal place where she could worship the sun goddess. It wasn’t until she arrived in Ise that Amaterasu told the Princess this is where she wanted to reside.
Nowadays, only a member of the royal family is allowed to become high priestess or priest of Ise Jingu.
According to a Japanese legend, the shrine is also home to a sacred mirror that encouraged the goddess out of hiding, bringing light back on the earth. It is believed that the inner shrine (Naiku) is the dwelling place of Amaterasu. Just a short distance from this shrine is found the outer shrine (Geku) where Toyouke-Omikami, the deity of harvest, rice, and agriculture is revered.
But that’s not all: take a stroll through Ise City and you’ll find over 120 shrines surrounding both Geku and Naiku. You may wish to know that the shrines around both Geku and Naiku are rebuilt every two decades in accordance with a Shinto belief about renewal and death.
While you’re in Ise Jingu, we recommend that you head over to the nearby village of Oharai. This place is home to Okage Yokocho (translating to Gratitude Side Street). Established in 1993, this street houses plenty of buildings that were originally built to pay homage to Ise’s Shinto deities.
Getting there
It’ll take you nearly 5 hours to reach Ise Jingu from Tokyo. You’ll need to take the Keio Line Local from Meidaimae Station towards Shinjuku Station. You’ll reach Ise Jingu after transiting through Shinagawa, Nagoya, Kintetsu Nagoya, Isuzugawa station before finally reaching Naiku-Mae. From there, you need to walk for around 10 to 15 minutes to reach Ise Jingu’s inner sanctuary.
Shimane | Izumo Taisha - A Historic Shrine Engraved in Japanese Mythology
One of the oldest shrines in Japan, Izumo Taisha is found in the Shimane Prefecture. This shrine is actually so old that there’s not even a record of when it was built. Researchers did find out that it was already built in the early 700s, possibly making it the oldest shrine in the country.
Back in pre-historic times, the Izumo Taisha shrine was ruled by a powerful clan. As such, the area around it plays a pivotal role in the Japanese belief system. During your visit, you’ll probably notice that the shrine’s main deity is Okuninushi no Okami. According to Japanese spiritual mythology, Okuninushi no Okami was both the ruler of Izumo and the creator of the country.
Because Okuninushi no Okami is also known as the deity of marriage and good relationships, the shrine draws plenty of newly engaged or married pilgrims from all over Japan. Usually, it’s customary to clap your hands twice during Japanese prayer ceremonies. However, visitors who visit Izumo Taisha clap their hands four times instead. This symbolizes two claps for themselves and two claps for their existing or future spouse.
If you visit in November, you may even attend the Kamairi Festival, an annual event that marks the gathering of Shinto deities at Izumo Taisha. This festival is usually held from November 10 to 17.
Because of its history and traditional Taisha-Zukuri architecture, the main hall and surrounding buildings were designated National Treasures of Japan in 1952. What makes this shrine even more special is that it’s rebuilt every 60 to 70 years as part of a process called ‘Sengu’.
When you first approach the shrine, you’ll be greeted with a massive Torri gate that leads to a sprawling boulevard lined by shops and restaurants. At the end of the street is a second Torri gate which opens into the shrine grounds. As you walk through the complex, you may notice a large lane split into three lanes by pine trees (located right past the Matsu no Sando). You may wish to know that visitors are required to avoid walking in the middle path because it’s reserved for the shrine deities.
Getting there
Just a quick heads up – the train journey from Tokyo to Izumo Taisha takes over 6 hours so you may wish to book an overnight stay near the shrine, perfect if you’re looking for a Japanese retreat.
Your journey starts with a bullet train from Tokyo Station to Okyama. From there, you’ll reach Izumo Taisha via Izumoshi. From Izumoshi station, you’ll need to take a 15-minute bus ride to the shrine.
Another UNESCO World Heritage Site, Itsukushima is an island located in the Seto inland sea – more precisely in the Hiroshima Prefecture. This island is especially famous for its amazing Torri gate that looks as though it’s floating on the water.
Itsukushima island is also known as Miyajima which literally translates to ‘shrine island’. This is because Itsukushima is home to a historic shrine (of the same name) that was built right over the sea. When the tide is high, both the shrine and its Torri gate appear unsupported in the water due to an optical illusion.
When visiting the shrine, you’ll notice that it’s made up of numerous buildings, including a Noh theatre stage, a main hall, and a prayer hall. Connected by numerous boardwalks, those buildings are supported by pillars jutting above the ocean.
Historically speaking, the island’s highest mountain (Mount Misen) has been a place of worship for the locals ever since the 6th century – even before the shrine’s construction. The actual shrine wasn’t actually set up until 1168 by a highly influential Japanese man named Taira no Kiyomori. He selected Miyajima Island to set up his family shrine and built Itsukushima by the end of the Heian Period.
While the Torri gate is prominently displayed on the Seto Sea, you’ll need to venture a bit further to visit the actual shrine itself since it’s found in a small inlet. There are several coastal paths that surround the inlet, perfect for a refreshing walk while enjoying the sea breeze. We suggest that you visit the shrine after sunset when the whole place is illuminated until 11 p.m. Bear in mind that while you’ll be allowed to walk the coastal paths after dark, you won’t be allowed to actually enter the shrine post-sunset.
We also recommend that you visit the shrine at least twice: once in high tide so you can enjoy the floating-on-water optical illusion, and another time during low tide, so you can walk out to the gate and marvel at its distinctive architecture from up close.
Getting there
It’ll take you around 5 to 6 hours to get from Tokyo to Miyajima by train and ferry via Hiroshima and Miyajimaguchi. Alternatively, you can also fly into Hiroshima from Tokyo and then take a ferry to the island.
Tips for Visiting Spiritual Sites in Japan
As you can probably tell by now, Japan is teeming with an abundance of spiritual sites where you can simply stroll around, soaking up those soothing vibes or respectfully partake in a ceremony.
Before you plan your visit, we suggest you take a look at some etiquette tips and recommendations you may wish to follow when visiting any spiritual site in Japan:
1. Respect Silence and Tranquility
Many spiritual sites are places for reflection and prayer, so keep noise to a minimum. It’s recommended to keep your voice low when visiting shrines and other spiritual sites.
2. Dress Modestly
When visiting temples or shrines, dress conservatively. Avoid wearing overly casual clothing like shorts, tank tops, or anything too revealing. It’s best to wear something respectful, such as long pants or skirts and shirts with sleeves.
3. Shoes
In some temple or shrine areas (especially indoor spaces like the main halls), you may be required to remove your shoes before entering. Be prepared to take off your shoes and wear clean socks. If you’re unsure, check for signs or observe others around you. Most places have a designated section for shoes, so please don’t toss them anywhere willy-nilly.
4. Purification Rituals (Temizuya)
At many shrines, you’ll find a temizuya (a water basin) where you are expected to purify yourself before entering the sacred area.
- How to purify: Use the ladles provided to scoop water. First, rinse your left hand, then your right hand, and finally rinse your mouth (don’t drink directly from the ladle). Afterward, rinse the ladle itself by holding it upright and allowing the water to run down the handle.
5. Offerings and Prayers
- At Shrines: When visiting a Shinto shrine, it’s customary to offer a small monetary donation at the offering box. After tossing the money, bow twice, clap your hands twice, make your prayer, and bow once more.
- At Temples: Buddhist temples typically involve placing incense in an incense burner and offering a silent prayer. Donations are also appreciated.
Avoid rushing through the process. Take your time to be respectful and mindful.
6. Taking Photos
- Always check the signs around the site for photography rules. In many temples or shrines, taking photos is not allowed, especially in sacred areas or near sacred statues.
- If allowed, avoid using flash or disturbing others with your camera. Respect the serenity of the space.
7. Do Not Touch Sacred Objects
Sacred statues, items, and offerings are often not meant to be touched. Refrain from handling or touching objects unless specifically invited to do so, like ringing a bell or touching a certain area for spiritual benefit.
8. Keep a Respectful Distance
Some spaces, like the inner sanctuaries of temples, are off-limits to visitors. Do not cross any ropes or barriers, and follow any guidance given by the site staff.
9. Mind Your Behavior
Remain calm and collected when walking through spiritual sites. Avoid behaving in ways that may be disruptive or disrespectful, such as loud laughing or unnecessary gestures.
10. Do Not Rush Through the Site
Take your time to appreciate the surroundings, whether it’s the architecture, the gardens, or the statues. These sites are places for contemplation, so try not to hurry through them. By respecting these customs, you not only show respect to the spiritual traditions of Japan but also deepen your own experience in these sacred spaces.
