20 Shrines in Chiba worth your time

A historic village shrine dedicated to Toyouke Omikami, featuring ancient earthwork embankments and traditional annual festivals.

What it is

• A former village shrine dedicated to the primary deity Toyouke Omikami.
• The site originated as part of an ancient Ise Grand Shrine estate.
• Amaterasu Omikami and Sugawara no Michizane are also enshrined at this location.
• Multiple local shrines were merged into this single site by 1965.

What to see

• Ancient earthwork embankments that surround the shrine grounds.
• A quiet sacred space managed by the chief priest of Funabashi Daijingu.

When to go

• The Obisha festival takes place annually on January 7th.
• The main annual festival is held every year on October 18th.

Getting there

• Take a 20-minute bus ride from JR Funabashi Station.
• The shrine is a 30-minute walk from Taki-Fudo Station.

Read more about Toyōke Shrine

An ancient guardian shrine in Narita dedicated to the deity of pottery, featuring a 700-year-old festival tradition.

What it is

• A local guardian shrine for Narita founded during the early Heian period.
• Dedicated to the primary deity Haniyama Hime no Mikoto.
• The central ritual object of the shrine is Haji pottery.
• The main shrine oversees more than thirty local branch shrines.

What to see

• A portable shrine used in a procession with over 700 years of history.
• The approach road known as Nishisando Sannomiya Street.
• A seasonal morning glory and ground cherry market held on the grounds.

When to go

• The annual grand festival takes place every July.
• Visit during the morning glory and ground cherry market events.

Getting there

• The shrine is a 15-minute walk from Narita Station.

Read more about Habu Shrine

Kinouchi-daijin is a historic Shinto shrine with ancient roots and important cultural properties.

What it is

• A Shinto shrine in Katori City, Chiba Prefecture.
• Founded during the Daido era.
• Dedicated to Toyoukehime-no-mikoto from Ise Grand Shrine.
• Protected by Shijo Takafusa as his territory.

What to see

• Shrine buildings constructed by Kiuchi Tsuneaki.
• Fushimi Emperor's autograph, a dedicated treasure.
• Shuinchi land donated by Tokugawa Ieyasu in 1591.
• Horse tack donated by Doi Toshikatsu in 1602.
• Main hall renovated in 1787.
• Main shrine, worship hall, and office renovated in 1920.

When to go

• Annual festival on March 3rd for Kinouchi Kagura.
• Kinouchi Kagura is an intangible folk cultural property.

Address

千葉県香取市木内1158 Map

Read more about Kinouchi-daijin

Ninomiya Shrine is a historic site in Funabashi, offering cultural properties and ancient traditions.

What it is

• Founded between 810 and 824 by Emperor Saga's imperial order.
• Enshrines Susanoo-no-Mikoto, Kushinadahime-no-Mikoto, and Fujiwara Tokihira.
• Formerly known as Miyama Myojin or Ninomiya Myojin.
• Considered a candidate for the Shikinaisha shrine.

What to see

• The current main hall, rebuilt between 1772 and 1781.
• Main hall is a tangible cultural property of Funabashi City.
• The shrine's ginkgo tree is a designated natural monument.

When to go

• Shimofusa Sanyama Seven-Year Festival is an intangible folk cultural property.
• Ninomiya Shrine Kagura is an intangible folk cultural property.

Address

千葉県船橋市三山5-20-1 Map

Official site

www.ninomiya-jinja.jp

Read more about Ninomiya Shrine

A branch of Izumo Taisha, this shrine offers a glimpse into ancient Japanese spiritual practices.

What it is

• A shrine in Isumi City, Chiba Prefecture.
• Also known as Kazusa Izumo Taisha.
• Enshrines a divided spirit of Ōkuninushi-no-Ōkami.
• Managed by the chief priest of Kuniyoshi Shrine.

What to see

• Main shrine building, completed in 1891.
• Himemisaki Shrine, to the right of the main building.
• Kotohira Shrine, to the left of the main building.

When to go

• New Year's Prayer Festival in January.
• Spring Grand Festival in April.
• Autumn Grand Festival in November.
• Monthly festivals on the 1st of each month.

Getting there

• 10-minute walk from Kuniyoshi Station.

Address

千葉県いすみ市苅谷630 Map

Read more about Izumotaisha Kazusabun'in

Ancient shrine in Funabashi with historical artifacts and a unique sumo event.

What it is

• Ancient shrine, also called Funabashi Daijingu.
• First mentioned in historical records in 863.
• Dedicated to the sun goddess Amaterasu Kōtaijin.
• Designated a prefectural shrine in 1872.

What to see

• Tokugawa Ieyasu's tooth enshrined in Tokiwa Shrine.
• Funabashi Daijingu Lighthouse, a cultural property.
• Kagura, a municipal intangible folk cultural property.

When to go

• October 20 for the annual sumo wrestling event.

Getting there

• 5-minute walk from Keisei Electric Railway Daijingū-shita Station.
• 10-minute walk from JR Sōbu Line Funabashi Station.

Address

千葉県船橋市宮本5-2-1 Map

Official site

www.oohijinja.jp

Read more about Ōhi Shrine

Suwa Shrine offers historical architecture and unique carvings, easily accessible for a quick cultural experience.

What it is

• A shrine dedicated to Takeminakata no Mikoto and Shita Teruhime no Mikoto.
• Founded on a hill near Hanamigawa.
• The shrine's crest is 'Tachi Kaji no Ha'.

What to see

• Main hall rebuilt in 1836.
• Worship hall renovated in 1968.
• Dragon carving on the worship hall by Shimamura Toshio.
• Chozubachi (water basin) from 1836.
• Komainu (guardian dogs) established in 1852.

When to go

• Obisha (archery ritual) is on January 11th.
• Annual festival is on October 18th and 19th.

Getting there

• 23-minute walk from Keisei Electric Railway Makuhari Station.

Address

千葉県千葉市花見川区長作町779 Map

Read more about Suwa Shrine

Tachibana Shrine honors ancient deities and houses a royal tomb, offering a glimpse into Japan's past.

What it is

• A Shikinai-sha, the second shrine of Kazusa Province.
• Dedicated to Otohime-no-mikoto, Yamato Takeru-no-mikoto, and Oshiyama-no-sukune.
• First mentioned in the Rikkokushi in 877.
• The shrine's crest is the tachibana orange.

What to see

• The main hall, constructed in 1800.
• A kofun behind the main hall, believed to be Otohime-no-mikoto's tomb.
• Tachibanaki-sha Monjo, a Chiba Prefecture cultural property.
• Honno Tachibana Jinja Shaso, a Mobara City natural monument.

When to go

• Annual festival on the day before Health and Sports Day in October.

Address

千葉県茂原市本納738 Map

Read more about Tachibana Shrine

Tamasaki Shrine is a historic shrine in Chiba, known for its cultural properties and a lively autumn festival.

What it is

• Dedicated to the deity Tamayorihime-no-mikoto.
• Ichinomiya (chief shrine) of Kazusa Province.
• Current buildings constructed in 1687.

What to see

• Shrine buildings are Chiba Prefecture cultural properties.
• A plum tree and two sparrows mirror is a national cultural property.
• Basho haiku monument is a town cultural property.

When to go

• Main festival, Kazusa Hadaka Matsuri, is on September 13th.
• See Kazusa Kagura, a 300-year-old traditional dance.

Getting there

• 7-minute walk from Kazusa-Ichinomiya Station.

Address

千葉県長生郡一宮町一宮3048 Map

Official site

www.tamasaki.org

Read more about Tamasaki Shrine

Kikuta Shrine is an ancient shrine dedicated to two deities, easily accessible by train.

What it is

• Founded between 810 and 824 AD.
• Enshrines Ōnamuchi-no-Ōkami and Fujiwara no Tokihira.
• Formerly known as Kuguta Daimyōjin.
• Designated an 'Outstanding Normative Shrine' in 1978.

What to see

• Main hall, reconstructed in wood in 1256.
• Torii gate, rebuilt in December 2011.
• Pond, said to be sourced from Ninomiya Shrine.
• Several subsidiary shrines, including Koyasu Jinja.

When to go

• Participates in the Shimōsa Sanyama Seven-Year Festival.

Getting there

• 5-minute walk from Keisei Tsudanuma Station.

Address

千葉県習志野市津田沼3-2-5 Map

Official site

www.kikuta-jinja.jp

Read more about Kikuta Shrine

Visit Suwa Shrine, a historic site with ancient roots and important cultural properties.

What it is

• A shrine founded in 807 AD.
• Established by descendants of Prince Takechi.
• Dedicated to the deity Takeminakata-tomi-no-mikoto.
• Its crest is Myojin Kaji from Suwa Grand Shrine.

What to see

• Main hall, offering hall, and worship hall.
• These buildings were rebuilt in 1826 and 1846.
• They are tangible cultural properties of Nagareyama City.
• Explore the Suwa Shrine ruins on the grounds.
• The site shows evidence of Jomon period habitation.

Getting there

• Walk from Toyoshiki Station.
• Walk from Nagareyama-ōtakanomori Station.

Address

千葉県流山市駒木655 Map

Official site

www.suwano-mori.com

Read more about Suwa Shrine

Visit this Shinto shrine built on an ancient burial mound, a short walk from Keisei Tsudanuma Station.

What it is

• A Shinto shrine with an unknown founding date.
• Dedicated to Omodaru-no-mikoto and Kashikone-no-mikoto.
• Also enshrines Susanoo-no-mikoto and Sarutahiko-no-kami.
• Served as the tutelary deity of former Saginuma Village.

What to see

• The shrine is built on a keyhole-shaped tumulus.
• The tumulus is called Ne Jinja Kofun or Sanno-shi Kofun.
• It is part of the Saginuma Kofun group.

When to go

• The annual festival is held on October 17th.

Getting there

• A 13-minute walk from Keisei Tsudanuma Station.

Address

千葉県習志野市鷺沼1-698 Map

Read more about Ne Shrine

Ukyōzuka Shrine is a local shrine with unique features and New Year's traditions.

What it is

• Also known as Mitsuzuka-san or Mitsuzuka-sama.
• Named after three mounds, only one remains.
• Dedicated to the deity Ukanomitama-no-kami.

What to see

• See the remaining mound south of the shrine.
• Visit the Mitsumine Shrine within the grounds.
• Observe the Fujizuka.
• View the Meoto Inari, built in 2015.

When to go

• New Year's Day at midnight for amazake.
• November 23rd for performances by local groups.

Getting there

• 12-minute walk from Kamagaya Station.
• 15-minute walk from Hatsutomi Station.

Address

千葉県鎌ケ谷市右京塚7-60 Map

Read more about Ukyōzuka Shrine

Sobataka Shrine: an ancient auxiliary shrine with unique rain-predicting jars and a historic main hall.

What it is

• First auxiliary shrine of Katori Jingu Shrine.
• Dedicated to Sobataka Okami.
• Founded in the 18th year of Emperor Jimmu's reign.

What to see

• Main hall is a Chiba Prefecture cultural property.
• Main hall built in the early Edo period.
• Four pots called the Four Kame.
• Rainwater in jars predicts annual rainfall.

When to go

• Higenade Festival on the second Sunday of January.

Getting there

• 25-minute walk from Suigo Station on the JR Narita Line.
• Adjacent to Higashi-Kanto Expressway Sawara PA.

Address

千葉県香取市大倉1 Map

Read more about Sobataka Shrine

Takao Shrine is a historic local guardian shrine, enshrining deities for rainmaking and protection.

What it is

• Founded as a guardian shrine for Goko Mutsumi Village.
• Initially enshrined Ryuja-shin of Izumo Taisha for rainmaking.
• Later enshrined Takao-no-mikoto and Yamato Takeru.
• Established as Takao Shrine in 1879.

Getting there

• 3-minute walk from Keisei Bus Chiba Central Takagi 2nd Elementary School bus stop.
• 11-minute walk from Motoyama Station on the Keisei Electric Railway Matsudo Line.
• 19-minute walk from Goko Station East Exit on the Keisei Electric Railway Matsudo Line.
• 19-minute walk from Mutsumi Station on the Tobu Railway Noda Line.

Address

千葉県松戸市六高台1-15 Map

Read more about Takao Shrine

Suwa Shrine is a historic shrine in Sawara, known for its autumn festival and traditional architecture.

What it is

• A shrine in Sawara-Shinjuku, Katori City, Chiba Prefecture.
• Founded when Okami Koreki invited Suwa Grand Shrine to the territory.
• The current shrine building was constructed in 1853.

What to see

• The 1853 shrine building.
• Located near the townscape of Sawara.
• Near the Suigo Sawara Dashi Kaikan.

When to go

• The Sawara Grand Festival Autumn Festival.
• Festival is held for three days.
• Festival centers on the second Saturday of October.

Getting there

• A 5-minute walk from Sawara Station.

Address

千葉県香取市佐原イ1020 Map

Official site

osuwa3.jp

Read more about Suwa Shrine

A historic shrine in Narashino, offering a glimpse into local religious traditions.

What it is

• A subordinate shrine of Ne Shrine in Saginuma.
• Dedicated to Yamato Takeru no Mikoto and Hayasusa-no-o no Mikoto.
• Believed to have been founded in the early modern period.

What to see

• Main hall built in 1816.
• Worship hall with a roof re-thatched in 1848.
• Komainu statues erected in 1852.

When to go

• Tsurugi Festival is held on March 1st.
• Annual festival is held on October 17th.

Getting there

• 22-minute walk from Keisei Tsudanuma Station.
• 19-minute walk from Makuharihongo Station.

Address

千葉県習志野市鷺沼3-16 Map

Read more about Yatsurugi Shrine (Narashino)

Yasaka Shrine is a historic site known for its unique acrobatic festival performances.

What it is

• Also called Ota Yasaka Shrine.
• Formerly held the rank of village shrine.
• Designated an intangible folk cultural property in 1999.

What to see

• Young men in lion costumes climb a tall pole.
• Acrobatics are performed on the pole.
• Confetti is scattered during performances.

When to go

• Gion Festival features a pantomime.
• Tsuku-mai is the final act of the festival.
• Children shout "Enya-ho" during the festival.

Getting there

• 15-minute walk from JR Sobu Main Line Asahi Station.

Address

千葉県旭市ニの2089 Map

Read more about Yasaka Shrine

Shirako Shrine, founded in 1048, enshrines a white snake and offers cultural properties worth seeing.

What it is

• A shrine in Shirako Town, Chiba Prefecture.
• Founded in 1048.
• Dedicated to Okuninushi-no-Mikoto.
• A white snake was enshrined as a god.

What to see

• The main shrine building, rebuilt in 1762.
• The main shrine building is a Chiba cultural property.
• Yadaishin statues are Shirako Town cultural properties.
• The shrine's trees are Shirako Town natural monuments.

When to go

• Otaue-sai is a spring festival ritual.

Getting there

• 8-minute walk from Shirako Chuo Kominkan-mae bus stop.

Address

千葉県長生郡白子町関5364 Map

Official site

shirakojinja.jp

Read more about Shirako Shrine

Ancient shrine in Tateyama, revered by samurai, with a notable main hall and festival.

What it is

• Shrine in Tateyama City, Chiba Prefecture.
• Founded in the early Heian period as Awa-no-Kuni Soja.
• Dedicated to Hondawake-no-mikoto and Okinagatarashihime-no-mikoto.
• Revered by the Satomi clan and Tokugawa shogunate.

What to see

• Main hall, built in 1721, is a city cultural property.
• Heiden and Haiden structures, built in 1932.

When to go

• Annual Yawata-matsuri festival is a prefectural cultural property.

Getting there

• Approximately 1 kilometer north of Tateyama Station.

Address

千葉県館山市八幡68 Map

Read more about Tsurugaya Hachimangū