Blessing / Protection from Evil
Protection from Evil Power Spots
Protection from Evil — we introduce shrines, temples, nature spots, and sacred sites said to grant this blessing. Offer your prayers at these revered places where people have gathered since ancient times.
Miidera Temple (Onjoji)
Miidera (Onjoji), in Otsu City, Shiga Prefecture, is the head temple of the Tendai Jimon school. On …
Sanjusangendo Temple (Rengeo-in)
Sanjusangendo (officially the Main Hall of Rengeo-in) is a Tendai Buddhist hall founded in 1164 (the…
Sanzenin Temple
Sanzenin is a Tendai sect temple in Ohara, Sakyo Ward, Kyoto. Its origin traces to Saicho establishi…
Mitsumine Jinja
Located deep in the mountains of Okuchichibu in Chichibu, Saitama Prefecture, at an elevation of abo…
Kamigamo Jinja
Kamigamo Jinja (formally Kamowakeikazuchi Jinja) is one of the oldest shrines in Kyoto, registered a…
Chusonji Temple
An ancient Tendai temple in Hiraizumi, Iwate Prefecture, registered in 2011 as a component of the UN…
Kunozan Toshogu
Standing at the summit of Mt. Kuno in Shizuoka, this shrine enshrines Tokugawa Ieyasu and was the fi…
Ninnaji Temple
Ninnaji is the head temple of the Omuro branch of Shingon Buddhism, founded in 888 (the 4th year of …
Isaniwa Jinja
Isaniwa Jinja is a Hachiman shrine in the Dogo district of Matsuyama, Ehime Prefecture, long worship…
Sumiyoshi Taisha
The head shrine of approximately 2,300 Sumiyoshi shrines throughout Japan, this ancient sanctuary is…
Yasaka Jinja
Yasaka Jinja stands in Gion, Higashiyama Ward, Kyoto, and is an ancient shrine affectionately known …
Engakuji Temple
Engakuji, in Yamanouchi, Kamakura City, Kanagawa Prefecture, is the head temple of the Engakuji bran…
Dewa Sanzan Jinja (Sanshin Gosaiden)
Dewa Sanzan Jinja (Sanshin Gosaiden) stands at the summit of Mt. Haguro in Tsuruoka City, Yamagata P…
Kitano Tenmangu
Kitano Tenmangu stands in Kamigyo Ward, Kyoto, and enshrines Sugawara no Michizane, the god of learn…
Nanzenji Temple
Nanzenji is the head temple of the Nanzenji branch of the Rinzai school, founded in 1291 (the 4th ye…
Kibitsu Jinja
Kibitsu Jinja is a historic shrine in Kita Ward, Okayama, and the Ichinomiya of Bitchu Province. It …
Yoshida Shrine
Yoshida Shrine stands on Mt. Yoshida in Sakyo Ward, Kyoto, and is a historic shrine founded in 859 (…
Zenkoji Temple
Zenkoji, in Nagano, Nagano Prefecture, is known as a non-denominational sacred site that welcomes ev…
Shitennoji Temple
The head temple of the Wa sect in Tennoji Ward, Osaka, said to have been built by Prince Shotoku in …
Kunisaki Peninsula and Rokugo Manzan
Rokugo Manzan is the collective name for about 100 Buddhist temples and rock-cave sites scattered ac…
Mibudera Temple
Located in Nakagyo Ward, Kyoto, this is a temple of the Ritsu sect, known simply as Mibudera. Founde…
Tado Taisha
Tado Taisha, in Kuwana, Mie Prefecture, is an ancient shrine also called 'Kita-Ise Daijingu' and ran…
Oyama Afuri Jinja
Oyama Afuri Jinja stands on Mt. Oyama (1,252 m) in Isehara, Kanagawa Prefecture, and is an ancient s…
Mt. Omine (Sanjogatake)
Mt. Omine (Sanjogatake) is a sacred peak 1,719 meters high in Tenkawa Village, Yoshino District, Nar…
Daitokuji Temple
Daitokuji is the head temple of the Rinzai Daitoku-ji school, in Murasakino, Kita Ward, Kyoto. It wa…
Omiwa Jinja
One of Japan's oldest shrines, unique in that it has no main hall—Mt. Miwa itself is the sacred obje…
Daishoin Temple
A temple of the Omuro school of Shingon Buddhism on Miyajima (Itsukushima) in Hatsukaichi, Hiroshima…
Osu Kannon (Hoshoin Temple)
Osu Kannon (formal name: Hoshoin) is a Shingon Chizan sect temple in Naka Ward, Nagoya, Aichi Prefec…
Oasahiko Jinja
Oasahiko Jinja, in Naruto, Tokushima Prefecture, is the Ichinomiya of Awa Province, revered as the c…
Amano Iwato Jinja
The mythological setting of the legend of the 'Rock-Cave of Heaven' (Amano Iwato), where the sun god…
Tenryuji
The head temple of the Rinzai Zen Tenryuji school, set in the scenic Arashiyama and Sagano area of K…
Dazaifu Tenmangu
Dazaifu Tenmangu enshrines Sugawara no Michizane, known as the 'god of learning', and is the head sh…
Usa Jingu
The head shrine of approximately 44,000 Hachimangu shrines in Japan and—alongside Ise Jingu—consider…
Hodosan Jinja
Hodosan Jinja stands at the foot of Mt. Hodo (497 m) in Nagatoro, Chichibu District, Saitama Prefect…
Muroji Temple
Muroji, in the mountains of Uda City, Nara Prefecture, is the head temple of the Muroji branch of Sh…
Tomioka Hachimangu
Tomioka Hachimangu, in Koto Ward, Tokyo, is known as 'Fukagawa no Hachiman-sama' and is the largest …
Samukawa Jinja
Ichinomiya of Sagami Province, located in Samukawa, Koza District, Kanagawa Prefecture, this shrine …
Okadera Temple (Ryugaiji)
An old temple of the Buzan school of Shingon Buddhism in Asuka Village, Nara Prefecture, formally na…
Kawasaki Daishi (Heikenji Temple)
Kawasaki Daishi, in Kawasaki City, Kanagawa Prefecture, is a head temple of the Chizan branch of Shi…
Heian Jingu
Heian Jingu stands in Okazaki, Sakyo Ward, Kyoto, and was founded in 1895 (the 28th year of Meiji) t…
Hirota Jinja
Hirota Jinja is a shrine of high standing in Nishinomiya, Hyogo Prefecture, enshrining the aramitama…
Kenchoji Temple
Kenchoji, in Yamanouchi, Kamakura City, Kanagawa Prefecture, is the head temple of the Kenchoji bran…
Oiwa Jinja
Known as one of Japan's most potent power spots, this ancient shrine carries the legend that NASA as…
Naritasan Shinshoji Temple
One of Japan's most prominent sacred sites, welcoming over 10 million worshippers annually. Though a…
Rinnoji Temple (Nikko)
Nikko-san Rinnoji, in Nikko City, Tochigi Prefecture, is a large Tendai temple said to have been ope…
Nikko Tosho-gu
A UNESCO World Heritage shrine enshrining Tokugawa Ieyasu, the founder of the Edo Shogunate. Its lav…
Hie Jinja
Located in Nagatacho, Chiyoda, Tokyo, this distinguished shrine was the guardian shrine of Edo Castl…
Meiji Jingu Shrine
This serene shrine stands amid a vast forest of approximately 700,000 square meters in the heart of …
Kasuga Taisha
Founded in 768 (the 2nd year of Jingo-keiun) in the Nara period, Kasuga Taisha is the head shrine of…
Seimei Shrine
Seimei Shrine stands in Kamigyo Ward, Kyoto, and enshrines Abe no Seimei, an onmyoji (master of yin-…
Mt. Gassan
Mt. Gassan is the main peak of the Three Mountains of Dewa, at an altitude of 1,984 meters. It is de…
Todaiji
The internationally famous home of the Great Buddha of Nara (Rushanabutsu, approximately 15 meters t…
Toji Temple (Kyoogokokuji)
Toji (Kyoogokokuji) is the head temple of Toji Shingon Buddhism, founded in 796. Known as the temple…
Tojinbo
Tojinbo is a sea cliff facing the Sea of Japan in Ajima, Mikuni-cho, Sakai, Fukui Prefecture. It is …
Hiraoka Shrine
Hiraoka Shrine stands in Higashiosaka, Osaka Prefecture, and is the Ichinomiya (foremost shrine) of …
Shibamata Taishakuten (Daikyoji Temple)
Located in Shibamata, Katsushika Ward, Tokyo, this is a temple of the Nichiren sect, formally named …
Nezu Jinja
Nezu Jinja is an ancient shrine in Bunkyo Ward, Tokyo, said to have been founded about 1,900 years a…
Tsubaki Okami Yashiro
This shrine in Suzuka, Mie Prefecture, is the head shrine of about 2,000 shrines across Japan dedica…
Musashi Ichinomiya Hikawa Jinja
Musashi Ichinomiya Hikawa Jinja stands in Omiya Ward, Saitama, and is a distinguished ancient shrine…
Musashi Mitake Jinja
Musashi Mitake Jinja is an ancient shrine at the summit of Mt. Mitake (929 m) in Ome, Tokyo. It is f…
Enryakuji
The head temple of the Tendai school of Buddhism, founded by Saicho on Mt. Hiei. Called 'the Mother …
Kehi Jingu
Kehi Jingu, in Tsuruga City, Fukui Prefecture, is a prestigious shrine that has served as the Ichino…
Eiheiji
The head temple of the Soto school of Zen Buddhism, founded by the monk Dogen. Some 200 trainee monk…
Horyuji
The oldest wooden structures in the world, built by Prince Shotoku. The precincts are divided into t…
Sensoji
Tokyo's oldest temple and its most visited tourist attraction, drawing over 30 million visitors annu…
Minatogawa Jinja
Minatogawa Jinja is a shrine in Kobe, Hyogo Prefecture, enshrining Kusunoki Masashige, a loyal retai…
Kumano Kodo
The Kumano Kodo is the collective name for the pilgrimage routes leading to the Three Grand Shrines …
Kumano Taisha (Izumo)
Kumano Taisha stands in Yakumo-cho, Matsue, Shimane Prefecture, and is the Ichinomiya (foremost shri…
Kumano Hongu Taisha
The spiritual heart of the UNESCO World Heritage 'Sacred Sites and Pilgrimage Routes in the Kii Moun…
Kumano Hayatama Taisha
Kumano Hayatama Taisha, in Shingu City, Wakayama Prefecture, is a sacred site counted among the thre…
Kumano Nachi Taisha
Kumano Nachi Taisha, on Mt. Nachi in Nachikatsuura Town, Wakayama Prefecture, is a World Heritage sa…
Atsuta Jingu
A shrine of the highest prestige, enshrining the Kusanagi-no-Tsurugi—one of Japan's Three Sacred Imp…
Tamaki Jinja
Tamaki Jinja is a shrine near the summit of Mt. Tamaki (about 1,078 m) in Totsukawa Village, Yoshino…
Zuiganji Temple
A Zen temple of the Myoshinji branch of the Rinzai school in Matsushima, Miyagi Prefecture, and the …
Mt. Nantai (Nikko Futarasan Jinja Oku-miya)
Mt. Nantai (2,486 m), the sacred body of Nikko Futarasan Jinja, has been venerated as a holy peak si…
Chion-in Temple
Chion-in is the head temple of the Jodo school, the base from which Honen Shonin spread his teaching…
Isonokami Jingu
Isonokami Jingu, in Tenri City, Nara Prefecture, is a prestigious shrine known as one of the oldest …
Ishiteji Temple
Ishiteji is a Shingon Buzan sect temple near Dogo Onsen in Matsuyama, Ehime Prefecture, and Temple N…
Iwashimizu Hachimangu
Iwashimizu Hachimangu stands on the summit of Mt. Otoko in Yawata, Kyoto Prefecture, and is one of t…
Ishizuchi Shrine
Ishizuchi Shrine has its main shrine in Saijo, Ehime Prefecture, and worships Mt. Ishizuchi (1,974 m…
Kanda Myojin (Kanda Jinja)
Located in Chiyoda, Tokyo, Kanda Myojin (Kanda Jinja) is an ancient shrine said to have been founded…
Mt. Kasagi (Kasagiyama)
Mt. Kasagi (288 meters high) is in Kasagi Town, Soraku District, Kyoto Prefecture, with Kasagidera T…
Hakozaki-gu
Hakozaki-gu, in Higashi Ward, Fukuoka City, Fukuoka Prefecture, is an ancient shrine counted as one …
Kofukuji Temple
Kofukuji, in Nara City, is a head temple of the Hosso school and the family temple of the Fujiwara c…
Zao Okama
Zao Okama is a crater lake (caldera lake) on the west slope of Mt. Goshiki in the Zao mountain range…
Yakushiji Temple
Yakushiji, in Nishinokyo, Nara City, is a head temple of the Hosso school, an ancient temple that Em…
Saidaiji Temple
Saidaiji is the head temple of the Shingon Risshu sect, located in Nara City. It was founded in 765 …
Akasaka Hikawa Shrine
Akasaka Hikawa Shrine stands in Akasaka, Minato Ward, Tokyo, and is deeply revered as a shrine for m…
Daigoji Temple
Daigoji is the head temple of the Daigo branch of Shingon Buddhism, founded in 874 (the 16th year of…
Mt. Kongo
Mt. Kongo is a 1,125 m mountain on the border between Gose City in Nara Prefecture and Chihayaakasak…
Kongobuji
The head temple of the Shingon school of Esoteric Buddhism, effectively the center of all Mt. Koya. …
Kinpusenji Temple
Kinpusenji, in Yoshinoyama, Nara Prefecture, is the head temple of the Kinpusen Shugen sect and is k…
Hofu Tenmangu
Hofu Tenmangu, in Hofu City, Yamaguchi Prefecture, is known as Japan's first Tenmangu shrine, founde…
Ryozenji Temple
Ryozenji is a Koyasan Shingon sect temple in Naruto, Tokushima Prefecture, and Temple No. 1 of the S…
Kirishima Jingu
One of southern Kyushu's most powerful spiritual sites, nestled amid the Kirishima mountain range at…
Kurama-dera Temple
The head temple of Kurama Kokyo, standing on Mt. Kurama, a sacred peak in northern Kyoto. It is said…
Asukadera Temple
Asukadera, in Asuka Village, Nara Prefecture, is known as the first Buddhist temple in Japan with a …
Kashii-gu
Kashii-gu, in Higashi Ward, Fukuoka City, Fukuoka Prefecture, is an ancient shrine enshrining Empero…
Takamagahara Koshikiiwa Jinja
An ancient shrine in the hills behind Nishinomiya City, enshrining a massive 30-meter-tall sacred bo…
Takaosan Yakuoin Temple
An ancient temple of the Chizan school of Shingon Buddhism on Mt. Takao (599 m) in Hachioji, Tokyo. …
Takahata Fudo (Kongoji Temple)
Located in Hino, Tokyo, this is a special head temple (Betsukaku Honzan) of the Chizan school of Shi…
Koyasan Okunoin
The holiest ground on Mt. Koya, where the monk Kobo Daishi (Kukai) is said to remain in eternal medi…
Tsurugaoka Hachimangu
Located in Kamakura, Kanagawa Prefecture, this shrine has been deeply revered as the guardian deity …
Kashima Jingu
One of Japan's oldest shrines and the spiritual home of the martial arts. Deeply venerated by samura…
Ryoanji Temple
Ryoanji is a Zen temple of the Myoshinji branch of the Rinzai school, founded in 1450 by Hosokawa Ka…
Tatsuta Taisha
Tatsuta Taisha is an ancient shrine in Sango Town, Ikoma District, Nara Prefecture, dedicated to the…