20 Shrines in Kanagawa worth your time

A historic shrine atop an ancient burial mound within a hilltop zoo, dedicated to the sun goddess and other deities.

What it is

• A Shinto shrine founded at the end of the Kamakura period in Kawasaki City.
• The main hall stands directly on top of the Kasedai Number Seven Burial Mound.
• Dedicated to the sun goddess Amaterasu Omikami and the water deity Seoritsuhime.
• Located on the site where Ota Dokan abandoned building a castle after a dream.

What to see

• The main shrine building situated within the grounds of Yumemigasaki Zoological Park.
• Ancient burial mound architecture integrated into the religious site.
• Secondary altars dedicated to Sugawara no Michizane and Emperor Ojin.

When to go

• The annual grand festival is held on the first Sunday of August.
• New Year celebrations take place on January first.
• The Niiname-sai harvest festival occurs on November twenty-third.
• A star festival is held during the winter solstice in December.

Read more about Amaterasu-sumeōkami

The oldest shrine between Yokohama and Kawasaki, featuring ancient ritual sites and traditional festivals registered as intangible cultural property.

What it is

• The oldest shrine located between Yokohama and Kawasaki, originally named Sugiyama Daimyojin.
• Dedicated to the deities Isotakeru-no-mikoto and Susanoo-no-mikoto.
• Renamed to Tsurumi Shrine in 1920 and designated a Yokohama City Historic Site.
• The grounds contain an ancient shell mound and a historic ritual site.

What to see

• An ancient shell mound and ritual site located within the precinct.
• A Fujizuka mound preserved at the back of the shrine grounds.
• The Tsurumi Rice Field Festival, which is a registered intangible cultural property.

When to go

• The Tenno Festival is held annually during July.
• The Otori Festival featuring a rake market takes place in November.

Getting there

• The shrine is an eight-minute walk from JR Tsurumi Station.

Read more about Tsurumi Shrine

A historic Yokohama shrine dedicated to Amaterasu Omikami, featuring traditional architecture and a vast protected forest for peaceful exploration.

What it is

• A historic Shinto shrine dedicated to the primary deity Amaterasu Omikami.
• The site includes an outer shrine known as Toyouke Daijingu.
• Tokugawa Ieyasu ordered the construction of the original shrine buildings in 1590.
• The main shrine was moved to this current location in 1619.

What to see

• The main hall is constructed in the traditional Shinmei-zukuri architectural style.
• Twelve shrine buildings that underwent a major renovation in 1998.
• A vast grounds covering approximately 20,000 square meters.
• Half of the shrine land is preserved as a designated protected forest.

When to go

• The annual grand festival takes place on the third Saturday of August.

Getting there

• The shrine is a ten-minute walk from Tennocho Station.

Read more about Shinmeisha Shrine

A peaceful neighborhood shrine in Yokohama dedicated to Amaterasu Omikami, featuring traditional architecture and a quiet hilltop atmosphere.

What it is

• A local Shinto shrine dedicated to the sun goddess Amaterasu Omikami.
• Designated as a village shrine in 1873 to serve the Sanmai-cho area.
• Consolidated three other local shrines into its grounds in 1925.
• Managed by the Terumoto family who also serve as priests for Kumano Shrine.

What to see

• A wooden main hall with a traditional thatched roof reconstructed in 1986.
• A stone staircase consisting of forty-four steps leading up to the grounds.
• A dedicated dance hall used for performances and local ceremonies.
• A stone purification font where visitors can perform ritual cleansing.
• Shrine grounds spanning approximately three hundred and twenty-three tsubo.

When to go

• The annual festival takes place every year around October 7th.

Read more about Shinmei-sha

Kainan Shrine is a historic guardian shrine with unique cultural properties and a significant festival.

What it is

• General guardian shrine of Miura in Sagami Province.
• Enshrines Fujiwara no Sukemitsu and his consort Mitsuwatarihime.
• Also enshrines Jinushohkami, Susanoo, and Sugawara no Michizane.
• Current shrine building established in 982.

What to see

• Two ginkgo trees donated by Minamoto no Yoritomo.
• A pond donated to the shrine in 1640.
• Main shrine, heiden, and haiden are important cultural properties.

When to go

• Chakkirako festival is a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage.
• Hosts the Summer Grand Festival, a local intangible cultural property.
• Hosts the Men Kagura, a local intangible cultural property.

Getting there

• 2-minute walk from Misaki Port bus stop.

Address

神奈川県三浦市三崎4丁目12-11 Map

Official site

kainan.server-shared.com

Read more about Kainan Shrine

A historic shrine in Oiso linked to ancient Goguryeo settlers, offering unique festivals and a connection to Minamoto no Yoritomo.

What it is

• A former district shrine also known as Koma Shrine located in Oiso Town.
• Dedicated to the deities Kamimusubi and Emperor Ojin.
• Likely founded by settlers from the ancient Korean kingdom of Goguryeo.
• Separated from Koma-dera Temple in 1868 and renamed in 1897.

What to see

• A site where Minamoto no Yoritomo once prayed for his wife's safe childbirth.
• Land formerly granted by Tokugawa Ieyasu totaling one hundred koku.

When to go

• Visit during the Mifune Matsuri festival held in even-numbered years.
• The spring festival occurs on the weekend closest to April 18th.

Getting there

• The shrine is accessible by bus from JR Oiso Station.

Read more about Takaku Shrine

A hillside shrine in Yokohama housing multiple deities and historic stone walls sourced from the former Edo Castle moat.

What it is

• A Shinto shrine dedicated to Amaterasu Omikami, Sugawara no Michizane, and Emperor Ojin.
• Records mention a predecessor shrine existing on this site as early as 1494.
• The current name was adopted in 1884 after merging with four neighboring shrines.
• The shrine stands on a steep slope of the Hiyoshidai area in Yokohama.

What to see

• Stone walls constructed using materials from the former Edo Castle moat.
• Shrine buildings and grounds that underwent a major renovation in 1962.
• A collection of deities consolidated from several local shrines in 1914.

When to go

• Autumn festivals are held annually during early October.

Read more about Komabayashi Shrine, Yokohama

Hie Shrine is a historic local shrine with unique architecture and a lively autumn festival.

What it is

• Tutelary shrine of Yoshida Shinden.
• Founded in 1673 by Kanbei Yoshida Yoshinobu.
• Enshrines Oyamakui-no-mikoto and Ukanomitama-no-mikoto.
• Inari Shrine was enshrined together in 1977.

What to see

• A Sanno Torii built in 2013.
• A new Chozuya built in 2017.
• Kaguraden is a renovated Inari Shrine building.
• Seki Shrine was at the water intake of new rice fields.

When to go

• Autumn festival is one of Kanagawa's 50 best festivals.
• Annual festival is before Respect for the Aged Day in September.

Getting there

• 3-minute walk from Yoshinocho Station.
• Yokohama Municipal Subway Blue Line.

Address

神奈川県横浜市南区山王町5-32 Map

Read more about O-Sanno no Miya Hie Shrine

Two historic shrines across a port, dedicated to Hachiman Okami, offering cultural insights.

What it is

• Two shrines across Uraga Port, founded in 1644.
• Both enshrine Hachiman Okami, including Emperor Ojin.
• West Shrine also enshrines Hime Okami and Empress Jingu.
• Katsu Kaishu trained at East Shrine before sailing Kanrin Maru.

What to see

• West Shrine's main hall, rebuilt in 1842.
• East Shrine's main hall, rebuilt in 1929.
• Mount Myojin is a prefectural natural monument.

When to go

• See the 'Tiger Dance' at West Shrine, a cultural property.

Getting there

• West Shrine: 15-minute walk from Uraga Station.
• East Shrine: 18-minute walk from Uraga Station.

Address

神奈川県横須賀市西浦賀1-1-13 Map

Official site

kanoujinja.p1.bindsite.jp

Read more about kanou Shrine

Kamiyama Shrine is a historic local shrine with unique artifacts, worth visiting for its cultural insights.

What it is

• A shrine overseeing former Kuno, Ogikubo, and Ikegami villages.
• Moved to its current location during the Daiei era.
• Enshrines Izanagi-no-mikoto, Izanami-no-mikoto, and Amaterasu-Omikami.
• Currently a concurrently managed shrine of Oinari Shrine.

What to see

• A monument to the war dead on the grounds.
• A torpedo from the Imperial Japanese Navy era is displayed.

When to go

• Annual festival is held on October 9th.
• Shinko-sai festival is held on October 10th.
• Shichi-Go-San is held on a Sunday in early November.
• Monthly festivals are held on the 9th of each month.

Address

神奈川県小田原市久野235 Map

Read more about Kamiyama Shrine

Ancient mountain shrine with stunning views, accessible by cable car, designated Japan Heritage.

What it is

• Ancient shrine on Mount Ōyama, also known as Mount Afuri.
• Listed in the Engishiki Jinmyocho from 927 AD.
• Designated a Japan Heritage cultural property in 2016.
• Formerly ranked as a Prefectural Shrine.

What to see

• Main shrine at the summit of the mountain.
• Lower shrine on the mountainside.
• Deity Ōyamatsumi-no-kami enshrined at the lower shrine.

When to go

• Tsutsugayu Shinto ritual predicts weather.
• Hikime Festival wards off evil.

Getting there

• Accessible by bus from Isehara Station.
• Lower shrine accessible by Ōyama Cable Car.

Address

神奈川県伊勢原市大山355 Map

Official site

www.afuri.or.jp

Read more about Ōyama Afuri Shrine

Kanayama Shrine, or Kanamara-sama, is a unique shrine known for its phallic deity and spring festival.

What it is

• A shrine within Wakamiya Hachimangu Shrine grounds.
• Also known by the popular name Kanamara-sama.
• Dedicated to Kanayama-hiko-no-kami and Kanayama-hime-no-kami.
• These deities are gods of mining, blacksmithing, and sexuality.

What to see

• The enshrined object is a metal phallus.
• The main hall is a hexagonal building with a black iron exterior.

When to go

• Kanamara Matsuri festival is held on the first Sunday of April.
• The festival features three portable shrines.

Getting there

• A 3-minute walk from Kawasaki Daishi Station South Exit.

Address

川崎市川崎区大師駅前二丁目13番16号（若宮八幡宮内） Map

Read more about Kanayama Shrine

Visit this historic shrine, founded in the 9th century, for its unique sub-shrines and summer festival.

What it is

• A shrine in Yokohama, also called Yokohama Kumano Shrine.
• Dedicated to Kuninotokotachi no Mikoto, Izanagi no Mikoto, Izanami no Mikoto.
• Reportedly established between 810 and 824 AD.
• Designated as a Shinsen Heihakuryo Kyoshinsha in 1919.

What to see

• Main hall, worship hall, and water basin.
• Sub-shrines: Hachiman, Inari, Shinmei, Gosha Daijin, Otori.

When to go

• Annual festival is on the first Saturday and Sunday of August.

Getting there

• 1-minute walk from Tsurumi-ichiba Station.
• Tsurumi-ichiba Station is on the Keikyu Main Line.

Address

神奈川県横浜市鶴見区市場東中町9-21 Map

Read more about Kumano Shrine

Ancient shrine dedicated to a scholar, with important cultural properties and historical significance.

What it is

• Shrine enshrines Sugawara Michizane.
• Founded in 1104, according to tradition.
• Revered as guardian of Kamakura Shogunate.
• Component cultural property of Japan Heritage.

What to see

• Main hall is a National Important Cultural Property.
• Main hall was originally from Wakamiya Shrine.
• Shrine grounds are a National Historic Site.
• Wooden seated statue of Tenjin is Important Cultural Property.
• Statue of Tenjin dates to 1261.

Getting there

• Located east of Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine.
• On a small plateau 300 meters from approach entrance.

Address

神奈川県鎌倉市二階堂74 Map

Official site

www.tenjinsha.com

Read more about Egara Tenjinsha Shrine

Zama Shrine is an ancient shrine dedicated to Yamato Takeru no Mikoto, offering historical architecture and a unique pet shrine.

What it is

• Ancient shrine, founded between 539-571 AD or in 1313 AD.
• Dedicated to the deity Yamato Takeru no Mikoto.
• Features a unique Inuneko-sha, a pet shrine established in 2012.

What to see

• Main hall and worship hall.
• Bell tower and water purification pavilion.
• Sacred camphor tree on the grounds.
• Three torii gates.
• Several subsidiary shrines.

When to go

• Hina Matsuri festival is held on March 3rd.

Getting there

• Bus from Odakyu Line Sobudai-mae Station.
• 5-minute walk from JR Sagami Line Sobudai-shita Station.

Address

神奈川県座間市座間1-3437 Map

Official site

zamajinja.or.jp

Read more about Zama Shrine

This is the oldest shrine on Tsurugaoka Hachimangu grounds, worth visiting for its history.

What it is

• Oldest shrine on Tsurugaoka Hachimangu grounds.
• Dedicated to Inari, deity of rice, agriculture, prosperity.
• Venerated here since before 1180.
• Oldest surviving structure at Tsurugaoka Hachimangu.

What to see

• Shrine building dates to Muromachi period (1336–1573).
• Designated an Important Cultural Property.
• Two stone foxes guard the shrine.
• Red banners surround the shrine.
• Bright red torii gates line the path.

When to go

• Hitaki-sai fire festival held annually on November 8.
• Festival includes Kamakura kagura ritual and dance.

Address

二丁目1番31号 Map

Read more about Maruyama-inari-sha

Moriyama Shrine, founded in 749, offers unique rituals and a glimpse into local cultural heritage.

What it is

• A shrine in Hayama, Kanagawa Prefecture.
• Founded in the year 749.
• Known for the Sekari Shinji ritual.
• Mentioned in the Edo period Wakan Sansai Zue encyclopedia.

What to see

• Sekari Shinji ritual involves drawing water from a well.
• Aiai-sai ritual is a Hayama Intangible Folk Cultural Property.
• Sekari Shinji is a Hayama Intangible Folk Cultural Property.

When to go

• Aiai-sai ritual is held every 33 years.
• Next Aiai-sai ritual is scheduled for 2028.

Getting there

• 5-minute walk from Kyuyakuba-mae bus stop.

Address

神奈川県三浦郡葉山町一色2165 Map

Read more about Moriyama Shrine (Hayama)

Isehara Daijingu is a 17th-century shrine enshrining Ise Grand Shrine deities, a short walk from Isehara Station.

What it is

• A shrine in Isehara, Kanagawa Prefecture.
• Founded in 1620 by Yamada Soemon and Yuasa Seizaemon.
• Enshrines deities from Ise Grand Shrine.
• Its origin is deeply involved in the place name Isehara.

What to see

• Inner Shrine enshrines Amaterasu Omikami.
• Outer Shrine enshrines Toyouke Hime Okami.
• Kaguraden and Jingu Yohaisho buildings.
• Shamusho and Sanshujo buildings.
• Chozuya and a car purification area.
• Auxiliary shrines: Kasuga Shrine and Inari Soja.

Getting there

• 10-minute walk from Isehara Station North Exit.

Address

神奈川県伊勢原市伊勢原三丁目8-1 Map

Official site

www.daijingu.net

Read more about Isehara Daijingu

Historic shrine in Kamakura dedicated to a brave warrior, featuring a giant camphor tree.

What it is

• Also known as Kamakura Gongorō Shrine.
• Enshrines Kamakura Gongorō Kagemasa, a Heian period warrior.
• Certified as a Japan Heritage cultural property in 2016.

What to see

• Several subsidiary shrines on the grounds.
• A 20-meter tall, 350-year-old camphor tree.
• Camphor tree is a designated natural monument.

When to go

• Annual festival held in September.
• Menkake Gyōretsu is an intangible folk cultural property.

Getting there

• Accessible from Hase Station.
• Accessible from Gokurakuji Station.

Address

神奈川県鎌倉市坂ノ下4番地9 Map

Read more about Goryō Shrine

Visit this 16th-century shrine to see traditional architecture and experience a local festival.

What it is

• A branch shrine of Hikawa Shrine in Saitama City.
• Founded in 1561, originally named Ichinomiya Daimyojin.
• Dedicated to the deity Susanoo-no-Mikoto.
• Guardian of Koyasu Village and Nishiterao.

What to see

• Main shrine building in Shinmei-zukuri style.
• Building constructed with reinforced concrete and copper plates.
• Inari Shrine and Musashi Mitake Shrine on the grounds.

When to go

• Annual festival is the Saturday closest to August 21st.

Getting there

• 7-minute walk from Shin-Koyasu Station.

Address

神奈川県横浜市神奈川区入江1-13-16 Map

Read more about Ichinomiya Shrine Yokohama