20 Shrines in Hiroshima worth your time

Ōtaki Shrine is a unique water shrine in Hiroshima, known for its radioactive spring and dragon god.

What it is

• A shrine in Shin'ichi-chō, Fukuyama City, Hiroshima Prefecture.
• Dedicated to Sukunahikona-no-mikoto.
• Also enshrines Takaokami-no-kami, a dragon god of water.
• Known as a famous water spot.

What to see

• A small waterfall at the back of the grounds.
• An inner shrine located beside the waterfall.
• The main shrine built over a water channel.
• A stone embankment prevents water overflow.
• A stone sub-shrine for the mountain god by the torii.
• A paid water drawing area for famous spring water.

What to know

• The water is known as a radioactive spring.
• Selected as representative spring water of Hiroshima Prefecture.

Address

広島県福山市新市町上安井3047-2 Map

Read more about Ōtaki Shrine

This shrine, built in 1830, protects sailors and features a unique architectural style.

What it is

• Guardian shrine for the Chisago Breakwater, built in 1830.
• Dedicated to three deities, Sumiyoshi Sanjin, associated with sailing and the sea.
• Funded by wealthy Osaka merchant Kōnoike Zen’emon.

What to see

• Main sanctuary (honden) is a half-scale replica of Sumiyoshi Taisha Shrine in Osaka.
• Honden built in unique sumiyoshi-zukuri style with flat roof and stone fence.
• Fence inscribed with names of merchant donors from around Japan.
• Inscriptions include names of high-ranking courtesans.
• Honden designated an Important Cultural Property of Hiroshima Prefecture.

Address

広島県広島市中区住吉町5-10 Map

Read more about Sumiyoshi Shrine

Ancient shrine in Miyoshi City, known for its unique architecture and seasonal festivals.

What it is

• Founded in 808.
• Enshrines Konohanasakuyahime no Mikoto as its main deity.
• Also enshrines Amatsuhikohikoho Ninigi no Mikoto and Oyamatsumi no Kami.
• Rebuilt in 1658 after destruction.

What to see

• Main hall has a kirizuma-zukuri style roof.
• Worship hall has a kirizuma-zukuri style roof.
• Sumiyoshi Shrine is an affiliated shrine.

When to go

• Chinowa-kuguri Festival is held annually on June 30.
• Togyo Festival is held on the third Sunday of October.

Getting there

• 40-minute walk from JR Geibi Line Miyoshi Station.

Address

広島県三次市三次町1112-2 Map

Read more about Dasai Shrine

Kōchi Shrine: a historic site enshrining Hachiman Sanjin, formed from eight merged shrines.

What it is

• Shrine in Saeki-ku, Hiroshima City.
• Formed in 1907 by merging eight shrines.
• Enshrines Hachiman Sanjin deities.
• Some merged shrines date to the En'gi era (901-923).

What to see

• Scenic location backed by a chinjū no mori (sacred forest).
• Current main hall relocated from former Hiyoshi Shrine.
• Ridge tag from 1722 Hachiman-gu rebuilding remains.

When to go

• Annual autumn festival in October.

Getting there

• Hiroden Bus from Itsukaichi Station North Exit.
• By car from National Route 2.

Address

広島県広島市佐伯区五日市町上河内359-1 Map

Official site

kochijinja.org

Read more about Kōchi Shrine (Saeki-ku)

Visit this shrine to see a rare architectural style and a historic treasure house.

What it is

• Successor to a Shikinaisha (Myojin Taisha) shrine.
• Successor to Aki Province Soja shrine.
• Founded in 1873.
• Dedicated to Emperor Jimmu and Akitsuhiko-no-mikoto.

What to see

• Honden in Sanmaisha Nagare-zukuri style.
• Haiden in Irimoya-zukuri style with Chidorihafu.
• Treasure house from the early Edo period.
• Treasure house is the only remaining structure from Hiroshima Castle.
• Kifune Shrine and Tenjinsha are subsidiary shrines.

Getting there

• Accessible from Tenjingawa Station.
• Accessible from Yaga Station.

Address

広島県安芸郡府中町宮の町3丁目 Map

Official site

www.takejinja.net

Read more about Take Shrine

Nunakuma Shrine is a historic shrine in Fukuyama with unique cultural properties.

What it is

• Also known as Tomo Giongu.
• Main deity is Owatatsumi-no-mikoto.
• Formed by merging Watasu Shrine and Tomo Giongu.

What to see

• Stone lantern donated in 1651.
• Twenty granite power stones.
• Noh stage from the Momoyama period.
• Noh stage is a National Important Cultural Property.
• Second torii gate built in 1625.
• Torii gate is a Prefectural Important Cultural Property.

When to go

• O-yumi Shinji is a municipal intangible folk cultural property.
• Otebi Shinji is a municipal intangible folk cultural property.

Address

広島県福山市鞆町後地1225 Map

Official site

tomo-gionsan.com

Read more about Nunakuma Shrine

Kibitsu Shrine is a historic shrine with important cultural properties, dedicated to Okibitsuhiko-no-mikoto.

What it is

• Ichinomiya of Bingo Province.
• Dedicated to Okibitsuhiko-no-mikoto.
• Main hall built in 1648.

What to see

• Main hall is a National Important Cultural Property.
• Several Important Cultural Properties, including komainu and tachi.
• Kaguraden is a Prefectural Important Cultural Property.
• Haiden is a City Important Cultural Property.
• Lower Zuishinmon is a City Important Cultural Property.
• Large torii gate is a City Important Cultural Property.

Getting there

• Accessible from Shin-ichi Station.

Address

広島県福山市新市町宮内400 Map

Official site

bingokibitujinja.com

Read more about Kibitsu Shrine

Wakamiya Hachiman Shrine: a historic shrine known for cherry blossoms and a lively autumn festival.

What it is

• Shrine dedicated to Hachiman-kami, a deity of war.
• Founded between 1156 and 1159.
• Commonly called "Wakamiya-san."
• Formerly known as Kagami-yama Hachiman Shrine.

What to see

• The current main hall, rebuilt in 1811.
• Cherry blossoms on the shrine grounds.
• Adjacent Wakamiya Park.

When to go

• October for the portable shrine procession festival.
• Spring for cherry blossoms.

Getting there

• 20-minute walk from JR Geibi Line Miyoshi Station.

Address

広島県三次市十日市南四丁目7-55 Map

Read more about Wakamiya Hachiman Shrine

Ancient Susanoo Shrine in Fukuyama, Hiroshima, offers historical architecture and a lively summer festival.

What it is

• Shikinaisha shrine founded around the 7th century.
• Dedicated to the deity Susanoo-no-Mikoto.
• Claims to be the Ichinomiya of Bingo Province.
• Associated with Gion faith and Gion Festival.

What to see

• Main hall with Irimoya-zukuri style and cypress bark roofing.
• Two castle gates relocated from Sagata Castle.
• One castle gate is among the oldest of its kind.
• Shrine grounds believed to be Kotan Shorai's residence site.

When to go

• Gion Festival is held in July.

Address

広島県福山市新市町大字戸手1-1 Map

Read more about Susanoo Shrine

Ancient shrine dedicated to sea deities, rebuilt after the atomic bomb, with multiple subsidiary shrines.

What it is

• Originated in the era of Empress Suiko.
• Takirihime-no-mikoto enshrined as guardian of sea routes.
• Hachiman-jin enshrined before the Kamakura period.
• Current building constructed in 1931.

What to see

• Main enshrined deities: Hondawake-no-mikoto, Okinagatarashihime-no-mikoto.
• Several subsidiary shrines on the grounds.
• Ebisu Shrine is an auxiliary shrine.
• Sagimori Shrine is an auxiliary shrine.
• Inari Shrine is an auxiliary shrine.
• Ryugu Shrine is an auxiliary shrine.

Address

広島市西区田方1丁目11-18 Map

Read more about Kusatsu Hachiman Shrine

Itsukushima Shrine, with its iconic water gate, offers unique tidal views worth seeing in person.

What it is

• Shinto shrine complex.
• Designated a World Heritage Site in 1996.
• Originally constructed in 593 CE.
• Itsukushima means 'island of worship'.

What to see

• Iconic red torii gate standing in the water.
• Main (inner) shrine with 37 buildings.
• Outer shrine with 19 buildings.
• Mt. Misen as a backdrop.
• Arched bridge.
• Three ponds appear in sands at low tide.

When to go

• High tide: complex seems to float on water.
• Low tide: walk up to the torii gate.

Address

広島県廿日市市宮島町1-1 Map

Official site

www.itsukushimajinja.jp

Read more about Itsukushima Shrine

Misode Tenmangu is a historic Shinto shrine dedicated to learning, a scenic 20-minute walk from Onomichi Station.

What it is

• Shinto shrine in Onomichi City, Hiroshima Prefecture.
• Enshrines Sugawara no Michizane, god of scholarship.
• Founded between 1069 and 1074.
• Formerly served as a village shrine.

What to see

• Main hall rebuilt in 1983, irimoya-zukuri style.
• Worship hall has an irimoya-zukuri style roof.
• Stone staircase with 55 steps.
• Stone bench at the base of the steps.
• Rubbing cow statue on the grounds.

Getting there

• 20-minute walk from Onomichi Station.

Official site

misodetenmangu.or.jp

Read more about Misode Tenmangū

A 17th-century shrine dedicated to Tokugawa Ieyasu, notable for surviving the atomic bombing.

What it is

• Founded in 1648.
• Dedicated to Tōshō Daigongen (Tokugawa Ieyasu).
• Also called Onaga Tōshō-gū.
• One of the existing A-bombed buildings.

What to see

• Karamon and Yokurō, built in 1646.
• Chōzuya, built in 1648.
• Okugusho and Wakimon, built in 1648.
• Honjidō, built in 1648.
• Stone torii, donated in 1648.
• Structures designated as Hiroshima City cultural properties.

Getting there

• 12-minute walk from JR Hiroshima Station.

Official site

www.hiroshima-toshogu.or.jp

Read more about Hiroshima Tōshō-gū

Hayatani Shrine is an ancient, historically significant shrine in Hiroshima, known for its unique heritage.

What it is

• An ancient Shinto shrine with over 1,800 years of history.
• Enshrines Akihayatamano-mikoto, ancestral deity of Aki Province.
• One of the three great shrines of Aki Province.
• Oldest recorded shrine in Hiroshima Prefecture.

What to see

• A Myojin-taisha and Aki Province Ninomiya.
• A Beppyo Jinja of the Association of Shinto Shrines.

When to go

• Known for traffic safety prayers.
• Received offerings from the Emperor in 2024.

Address

広島県廿日市市上平良308-1 Map

Official site

hayatanijinja.jp

Read more about Hayatani Shrine

Suga Shrine: ancient guardian deity of the Mori clan, displaying historical artifacts.

What it is

• A shrine dedicated to Susanoo-no-Mikoto.
• Its name comes from Susanoo-no-Mikoto's words.
• Renamed in 1872 due to Shinto-Buddhism separation.
• Served as guardian deity for Yoshida-sho and the Mori clan.

What to see

• A tree stump from a 1200-year-old cedar.
• Sixteen ridge tags, one dating from 1325.
• The current main hall, built in 1694.
• Sugiwaka-sha, built for Mori Motonari's stepmother.
• A votive tablet by Shogoin Monzeki Dozo from 1563.

Address

広島県安芸高田市吉田町吉田477 Map

Read more about Suga Shrine

Nuta Shrine is a historic village shrine in Mihara City, worth visiting for its unique architecture and summer festival.

What it is

• A historic village shrine in Mihara City.
• Formerly named Gion Gozu Tenno-sha.
• Enshrines Susanoo-no-Mikoto and Kushinadahime-no-Mikoto.
• Designated a village shrine in the early Meiji period.

What to see

• Main hall is an irimoya-zukuri hirairi style building.
• Worship hall is an irimoya-zukuri tsumairi style building.
• Uki-shima Shrine is on the grounds.

When to go

• Gion Festival is held from July 4th to 11th.

Address

広島県三原市沼田東町本市字祇園面 Map

Read more about Nuta Shrine

Nigitsu Shrine honors the Asano clan, rebuilt after the atomic bomb, a short walk from Hiroshima Station.

What it is

• Shrine dedicated to the Asano clan, former lords of Hiroshima.
• Originated in 1706 as a memorial hall for Asano Nagamasa.
• Renamed Nigitsu Shrine in 1873.
• Formerly a Prefectural Shrine.

What to see

• Main shrine building, rebuilt after the war.
• Worship hall, restored in 1984.
• Karamon gate, rebuilt in 2000.
• Subsidiary Inari Shrine.

Getting there

• 15-minute walk from Hiroshima Station Shinkansen Exit.

Address

広島県広島市東区二葉の里2-6-34 Map

Official site

www.nigitsu.jp

Read more about Nigitsu Shrine

Fukuyama Hachimangu is a historic twin shrine, guardian of Fukuyama, offering unique architecture and local history.

What it is

• A Hachimangu shrine in Fukuyama City, Hiroshima Prefecture.
• Consists of two shrines built side-by-side in the same style.
• Established in 1683 by Mizuno Katsutane.
• Considered the guardian deity of Bingo Fukuyama.

What to see

• Two shrines built side-by-side, identical in style and scale.
• Sotsubin Shrine on the grounds, dedicated to Mizuno Katsunari.

When to go

• Holds a 25-year Shikinen festival.

Official site

www.fukuyamahachimangu.or.jp

Read more about Fukuyama Hachimangū

Ushitora Shrine, Onomichi's oldest, offers ancient camphor trees and a glimpse into early Japanese worship.

What it is

• Established in 806, the oldest shrine in former Onomichi City.
• Records confirm its existence as early as 1475.
• Enshrines Izanagi-no-Mikoto, Amaterasu-Omikami, Susanoo-no-Mikoto, and Kibitsuhiko-no-Mikoto.

What to see

• Four ancient camphor trees stand on the grounds.
• The camphor trees are designated a natural monument.
• Trees are estimated to be 900 years old.
• The largest camphor tree has a 7-meter trunk diameter.

Address

広島県尾道市長江1丁目3-5 Map

Read more about Ushitora Shrine

Jigozen Shrine, an ancient outer shrine of Itsukushima, offers historical buildings and unique festivals.

What it is

• An outer shrine of Itsukushima Shrine.
• Founded concurrently with Itsukushima Shrine.
• Records from 1168 mention 19 shrine buildings.

What to see

• Main shrine rebuilt in 1760.
• Guest Shrine main hall rebuilt in 1760.
• Worship hall rebuilt in 1914.
• Torii gate built in 1898.

When to go

• Goryo-e Festival includes yabusame and bugaku.
• Kangen Festival welcomes a boat from Itsukushima Shrine.

Address

広島県廿日市市地御前5丁目17 Map

Official site

www.itsukushimajinja.jp

Read more about Jigozen Shrine