20 Shrines in Niigata worth your time

This concrete shrine offers a unique candle ritual for blessings and good fortune, visible from a distance.

What it is

• Commanding shrine visible from a distance on a hillside.
• Dedicated to the "God of Commerce."
• Oldest part, a stone shrine, predates records from 1,500 years ago.

What to see

• Black gabled roofs and vermillion-and-white features.
• Concrete construction, unusual for this type of shrine.
• Two complexes: a larger lower one and a smaller hilltop one.
• Small stone shrine next to the hilltop complex.
• Ring-shaped gateway of tightly bound rope (late June to early July).
• Gold-adorned shrine and altar inside the main building.

When to go

• Late June to early July for the rope gateway.
• Yomatsuri night festival with 50,000-60,000 red candles.
• Twice a year for local festivals at the hilltop complex.

Getting there

• 25 minutes from Nagaoka Station by car.
• Take Shinetsu Line from Nagaoka Station to Echigo-Iwatsuka Station.
• 10-minute walk from Echigo-Iwatsuka Station.

Address

新潟県長岡市飯塚859番地 Map

Official site

www.houtoku.or.jp

Read more about Hotokusan Inari Taisha Shrine

This shrine offers unique cultural properties and a spring festival, dedicated to maritime safety and prosperity.

What it is

• Shrine dedicated to female deities Izanami no Mikoto and Kukurihime no Mikoto.
• Associated with maritime safety, country protection, and regional prosperity.
• Located on a hill overlooking the village and the Sea of Japan.
• Original founding date is unknown, but has been here for centuries.

What to see

• Main shrine building from 1771 with carvings of dragons, flowers, and a tiger.
• Coffered ceiling with colorful flower paintings and a dragon ink painting.
• Valuable collection of 52 funa-ema (votive tablets) from 1774–1889.
• Nimen Jinja Shrine, dedicated to a unique two-faced deity.
• Wooden figure of a two-sided Western-looking person in Nimen Shrine.
• Gold-covered portable shrine and wooden sacred white horse.

When to go

• Annual spring festival on May 3 and 4 with a procession and sacred dances.
• October and November for blooming tsuwabuki (Japanese silverleaf) flowers.

Address

新潟県長岡市寺泊大町2768 Map

Read more about Shirayamahime Shrine

This ancient Shinto shrine on Mt. Matsuo offers a challenging hike and a unique coming-of-age ceremony.

What it is

• Isolated Shinto shrine on top of Mt. Matsuo.
• Founded in 807 to honor deity Nunakawa-hime.
• Key part of Tokamachi's religious and cultural life.
• Hosts a significant coming-of-age ceremony each spring.

What to see

• Current sanctuary dates to 1497.
• Oldest thatched-roofed wooden structure in Niigata Prefecture.
• Registered an Important Cultural Property of Japan.
• Steep thatched roof designed for snow country winters.
• Numerous thick support columns for snow and thatch weight.
• Replicas of a short sword and signaling fan at Matsudai History Museum.

When to go

• Nanatsu Mairi festival annually on May 8.
• Coming-of-age ceremony for young boys each spring.

Getting there

• From village of Inubushi, at foot of the mountain.
• Climb of 360 meters over about 3 kilometers.
• Narrow mountain path, no road to the shrine.

Address

新潟県十日町市犬伏（松苧山） Map

Read more about Matsuo Shrine

Mononobe Shrine is an ancient, historically significant shrine with unique cultural properties.

What it is

• An ancient Shikinaisha and Echigo-no-kuni Ninomiya shrine.
• Dedicated to Futata-no-Ame-no-Mononobe-no-Mikoto.
• Also known as Futata Mononobe Shrine or Futata Shrine.

What to see

• Main hall is a three-bay nagare-zukuri style building.
• Main hall is a Niigata Prefecture designated cultural property.
• Two wooden komainu statues are cultural properties.
• Shrine possesses 443 scrolls of the Great Prajnaparamita Sutra.
• Associated with the Futata Castle ruins.

When to go

• Spring and autumn festivals are held annually.
• Special ritual called O-yumi-hajime-sai.

Getting there

• Nearest station is Raihai Station on the JR Echigo Line.

Address

新潟県柏崎市西山町二田602 Map

Read more about Mononobe Shrine

Fujimoto Shrine honors Murakami lords and offers historical architecture and art.

What it is

• Shinto shrine in Murakami City, Niigata Prefecture.
• Founded in 1717 as a mausoleum for Naito Nobunari.
• Enshrines Naito Nobunari and Murakami domain lords.
• Naito Nobunari was a half-brother of Tokugawa Ieyasu.

What to see

• Shrine grounds are National Historic Site, Murakami Castle Ruins.
• Current shrine buildings established in 1849.
• Buildings are Murakami City designated cultural properties.
• Shrine buildings are in Gongen-zukuri architectural style.
• Carvings by master craftsman Ariso Shusai.
• Ten portraits of successive Naito family heads.

Getting there

• About a 20-minute walk from Murakami Station.

Address

新潟県村上市三之町11番12号 Map

Read more about Fujimoto Shrine

Kanbara Shrine is a historic shrine in Niigata City, known for its unique festival and cultural properties.

What it is

• Shrine dedicated to Shiinetsuhiko no Mikoto and other deities.
• Also known as "Rokuro-sama" after Hatakeyama Rokuro Shigemune.
• Estimated to be founded after the Taika Reform.
• Moved to its current location in 1688.

What to see

• Main hall is a 30-tsubo wooden building with a tiled roof.
• Two wooden seated statues of Hatakeyama Shigemune and his wife.

When to go

• Kanbara Festival is one of Niigata Prefecture's largest festivals.
• Otakusen ritual predicts the rice harvest with 830 years of tradition.

Getting there

• 15-minute walk from JR Niigata Station.

Address

新潟県新潟市中央区長嶺町3-18 Map

Read more about Kanbara Shrine

A unique Niigata shrine founded in the 1950s after a divine vision, famous for its name and seasonal stamp seals.

What it is

• A Shinto shrine established between 1951 and 1953 in Niigata City.
• Founded by a local resident following a divine vision.
• Built on land that was previously wasteland.
• Frequently featured in media due to its unique name.

What to see

• Three types of seasonal stamp seals offered monthly to visitors.
• Kingyoku Inari Shrine located in the immediate vicinity.
• The surrounding Sakura Promenade Park area.

Getting there

• Five-minute walk from the Ono-nakamachi bus stop.
• Ten-minute drive from the Niigata-nishi Interchange.

Read more about Kingyoku Shrine

Ancient mountain shrine with important Buddhist statues, a short walk from Sekiyama Station.

What it is

• Founded in 708.
• Was a Shugendo base until the Meiji period.
• Possesses Buddhist statues.

What to see

• Bronze standing Bodhisattva statue, oldest in Niigata Prefecture.
• Bodhisattva statue is a National Important Cultural Property.
• Shrine palace is a Registered Tangible Cultural Property.
• Main hall is a Registered Tangible Cultural Property.
• Bronze standing Amitabha statue is a Niigata Prefecture Cultural Property.
• Dragon flag is a Myoko City Cultural Property.

Getting there

• 21-minute walk from Sekiyama Station.

Address

新潟県妙高市関山4804 Map

Read more about Sekiyama Shrine

This shrine, mostly original since 1781, survived WWII and is a spiritual and social center.

What it is

• Shrine built in 1781 by the Makino family.
• Modeled after Nikko Tosho-gu, a famous shrine.
• Survived World War II air raid devastation.

What to see

• Original appearance mostly retained for 250 years.
• Gravestones of Nagaoka domain lords behind the shrine.
• Memorial for civil war casualties nearby.
• Preserved torpedo casing at the memorial.
• Fortunes and votive tablets available.

When to go

• November 15 for Shichi-Go-San children's festival.
• April to October for weddings.
• Year-round for fortunes and votive tablets.

Address

新潟県長岡市悠久町707番地 Map

Official site

www.aoshijinja.or.jp

Read more about Aoshi Shrine

Visit this historic shrine, an Echigo Province Ichinomiya, to see unique reeds and ancient artifacts.

What it is

• A Shikinaisha and Ichinomiya of Echigo Province.
• Dedicated to Okuninushi-no-kami and other deities.
• Moved to its current site in 1879.
• Formerly held the rank of Prefectural Shrine.

What to see

• The main shrine building, constructed in 2008.
• A cluster of one-sided reeds on the grounds.
• Wooden komainu statues, a cultural property.
• Ancient documents, also a cultural property.

When to go

• Annual festival is held on May 3rd.

Getting there

• A 25-minute walk from Naoetsu Station.

Address

新潟県上越市五智六丁目1-11 Map

Read more about Kota Shrine

Honai Shrine is a historic site in Sanjo City, dedicated to multiple deities, offering a glimpse into ancient Japanese beliefs.

What it is

• Founded approximately 700 years ago, in the late Kamakura period.
• Originally a Suwa Shrine, it was renamed Honai Shrine in 1909.
• Seven companies were merged into this single shrine.
• Dedicated to multiple deities including Takeminakata-no-mikoto.

What to see

• The original enshrined deity was Takeminakata-no-mikoto.
• The original shrine building was a stone shrine.
• Enshrined deities include Ukanomitama-no-mikoto and Hayatamao-no-mikoto.
• Also enshrines Sokotsutsunoo-no-mikoto, Oyamatsumi-no-mikoto, Onamuchi-no-mikoto.

Address

新潟県三条市下保内3282 Map

Read more about Honai Shrine

Shinmei Shrine, founded in 1661, enshrines important deities and hosts a vibrant autumn festival.

What it is

• Shrine founded in 1661 by Mizoguchi Naonao.
• Relocated in 1748 by Mizoguchi Naoharu.
• Main deity is Toyouke-Ōmikami.
• Amaterasu-Ōmikami is also enshrined here.

What to see

• Current worship hall built in 1982.
• Main sanctuary built in 1988.
• Shibata Dashi float is stored here.

When to go

• Shinmei Festival on September 25th and 26th.
• Festival is now Shibata Hōnen Akimatsuri.

Getting there

• 20-minute walk west from JR Shibata Station.
• Parking lot is available.

Address

新潟県新発田市大手町1丁目5-6 Map

Official site

sinmeigu.com

Read more about Shinmei Shrine

Aomi Shrine is an ancient shrine with unique architecture and cultural properties, easily accessible from Kamo Station.

What it is

• Founded in 726, it enshrines Shiinetsuhiko-no-mikoto and other deities.
• Located in Kamo City, Niigata Prefecture, within Kamo Mountain Park.

What to see

• Walk the nightingale floor corridor, built in 1757.
• View the shrine building, a Kamo City Cultural Property.
• See the Okinasugi cedar tree, a Kamo City Natural Monument.
• Visit the site of the imperial envoy's zelkova tree.
• Discover excavated artifacts, a Prefectural Cultural Property.

Getting there

• 8-minute walk from Kamo Station.

Address

新潟県加茂市大字加茂229 Map

Official site

www.aomi-jinjya.or.jp

Read more about Aomi Shrine

Ōgata Shrine is an ancient shrine in Niigata City, known for its traditional architecture and seasonal festivals.

What it is

• Ancient shrine in Niigata City, Niigata Prefecture.
• Founded during the Daidō era (806-810).
• Enshrines Ōnamuchi-no-kami.
• Listed in the Engishiki Jinmyōchō in 927.

What to see

• Main hall with an irimoya-zukuri style roof.
• Kaguraden building on the grounds.
• Three末社 (massha) sub-shrines.
• Taidai Kagura dance, performed by the Terayama family.

When to go

• Sainenokami event around January 15.
• Spring festival on April 17.
• Autumn festival in the first week of September.

Address

新潟県新潟市東区河渡本町 Map

Read more about Ōgata Shrine

Suwa Shrine, founded in 648, is Shibata's guardian deity, offering unique architecture and festivals.

What it is

• Guardian deity of Shibata City.
• Main enshrined deity is Takeminakata-no-mikoto.
• Founded in 648.
• Moved to current location in 1688.

What to see

• Current shrine building rebuilt in 2004.
• Building combines main hall, offering hall, and worship hall.
• Onbashira pillars from Suwa Grand Shrine before worship hall.
• Onbashira pillars are replaced every six years.

When to go

• Annual festival from August 26th to 29th.
• Shibata Dainawa festival held during annual festival.

Address

新潟県新発田市諏訪町1丁目8番9号 Map

Read more about Suwa Shrine (Shibata)

Komachi Atago Shrine is a historic shrine in Niigata City with important cultural properties.

What it is

• A shrine in Niigata City, Japan.
• Enshrined a分霊 from Kyoto's Atago Shrine in 1609.
• Moved to its current location between 1655 and 1657.
• Dedicated to Hono-Kagutsuchi-no-Kami and other deities.

What to see

• Worship hall and main hall are city cultural properties.
• Main hall dates to the early 18th century.
• Wooden guardian dogs dedicated in 1663.
• Kuchino Shrine and Inari Shrine are on the grounds.

Getting there

• 10-minute walk from the Shiyakusho-mae bus stop.

Address

新潟市中央区古町通二番町495番地 Map

Official site

www.niigata-atago.jp

Read more about Komachi Atago Shrine

Asahara Shrine, a historic village shrine, offers unique sumo and firework events.

What it is

• Originally a private shrine for the Yoshiwara family.
• Became a village shrine in 1873.
• Several shrines merged into it in 1908.

What to see

• Niigata Prefecture's first authorized sumo ring.

When to go

• 108 fireworks launched on New Year's Eve.
• Spring festival held on April 25th.
• Sumo tournament held on September 10th mornings.
• Katakai Festival is the autumn festival.

Getting there

• 3-minute walk from Katakai Sannomachi bus stop.

Address

新潟県小千谷市片貝町6548 Map

Read more about Asahara Shrine

Amatsu Shrine is a historic site of worship with important cultural properties and traditional dance.

What it is

• A Shikinai-sha Ronsha shrine.
• Claims to be Echigo Province's Ichinomiya.
• Founded during Emperor Keiko's reign.
• An imperial prayer place for Emperor Kotoku.

What to see

• Main hall is a city designated cultural property.
• Wooden Nunasawa Hime statue is a prefectural cultural property.
• Nunasawa Shrine is a subordinate shrine on the grounds.

When to go

• Known for its bugaku dance.
• Bugaku dance is a nationally important intangible folk cultural property.

Address

新潟県糸魚川市一の宮1-3-34 Map

Read more about Amatsu Shrine

Visit Ime Shrine & Hachimangu to see rare Shinmei-zukuri architecture with thatched roofs.

What it is

• Ancient shrine, candidate for the Engishiki Jinmyocho list.
• Dedicated to Amenokaguyama-no-mikoto and Homudawake-no-mikoto.
• Hachimangu guardian deity enshrined by Minamoto no Yoshiie.
• Hachimangu was later combined with Ime Shrine.

What to see

• Honden built in rare Shinmei-zukuri style.
• Honden features a distinctive thatched roof.
• Haiden has unique round pillars and a thatched roof.
• Heiden also built in Shinmei-zukuri style with a thatched roof.

Address

新潟県小千谷市桜町1314 Map

Read more about Ime Shrine & Hachimangu

Nō Hakusan Shrine is an ancient shrine with important cultural and natural properties.

What it is

• One of the candidate shrines for Shikinaisha Nunakawa Shrine.
• Enshrines Nunakawahime-no-mikoto, Izanagi-no-mikoto, and Ōkuninushi-no-mikoto.
• Founded in the 11th year of Emperor Sujin's reign.
• Named Hakusan Gongen during Emperor Gensho's era.

What to see

• Main hall built in 1515.
• Main hall is a National Important Cultural Property.
• Treasure hall stores a wooden statue of Sho Kannon.
• Shrine forest is a National Natural Monument.

Address

新潟県糸魚川市大字能生7239 Map

Official site

nouhakusan.jp

Read more about Nō Hakusan Shrine