20 Shrines in Wakayama worth your time

A historic 1621 shrine on Mount Saika featuring elaborate carvings and murals dedicated to the first Tokugawa shogun.

What it is

• A Shinto shrine founded in 1621 by Tokugawa Yorinobu.
• The site enshrines the spirits of Tokugawa Ieyasu and Tokugawa Yorinobu.
• The main buildings are constructed in the traditional Gongen-zukuri architectural style.
• The grounds are part of a nationally designated historic site on Mount Saika.

What to see

• A steep stone staircase consisting of 108 steps leading up the mountainside.
• The main hall and gate which are designated Important Cultural Properties.
• Intricate sculptures decorating the main hall created by artist Hidari Jingoro.
• Interior murals painted by the famous artist Kano Tanyu.
• Views from the shrine complex situated atop Mount Saika.

When to go

• The Waka Matsuri festival takes place on the second Sunday of May.

Getting there

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

Official site

kishutoshogu.org

Read more about Kishū Tōshō-gū

Awashima Shrine: a unique shrine in Wakayama known for its doll memorial services and thousands of dolls.

What it is

• Head shrine for Awashima, Awashima, and Awaji Shrines nationwide.
• Dedicated to Sukunahikona-no-mikoto and Ohonamuji-no-mikoto.
• Known for doll memorial services.
• Also known for needle memorial services.

What to see

• Over 20,000 dolls displayed throughout the grounds.
• A needle mound is located within the grounds.
• Konden-zukuri Maru-saya Tachi (National Important Cultural Property).
• Daien-yamagata Hoshi Kabuto (National Important Cultural Property).

When to go

• Hina Festival (Hina Nagashi) on March 3rd.

Getting there

• Take the Nankai Kada Line to Kada Station.
• It is a 20-minute walk from Kada Station.

Address

和歌山県和歌山市加太 Map

Official site

www.kada.jp

Read more about Awashima Shrine

This historic shrine, a short walk from Nachi Station, offers cultural properties and a glimpse into ancient pilgrimage.

What it is

• A historic shrine in Nachikatsuura Town, Wakayama Prefecture.
• Also known as Ōmiwa Yashiro or Hamanomiya Ōmiwa Shiro.
• Dedicated to three deities: Fumusumi Okami, Ketsumiko Okami, Hayatama Okami.
• Stands on the site of Hamanomiya Oji, one of 99 Oji shrines.

What to see

• Three principal deity statues are Important Cultural Properties.
• Three wooden seated statues are Important Cultural Properties.
• One stone lantern is a town-designated cultural property.
• Adjacent to Fudarakusan-ji Temple.
• Part of the Kumano Sankeido National Historic Site.

Getting there

• 3-minute walk from JR Kisei Line Nachi Station.

Read more about Kumano Sansho Ōmiwasha

This historic shrine, possibly a former marketplace, features unique stone walls and may be the original site of an ancient pilgrimage stop.

What it is

• One of the oldest oji (subsidiary shrines) in Kumano.
• Appears in pilgrimage diaries from the early twelfth century.
• Became a village shrine, Ichinono-oji-jinja, in 1873.
• Name suggests the site originally doubled as a marketplace.

What to see

• Massive stone walls of the gokura (village storehouse).
• Gokura walls form a small open-air maze.
• Small patch of hallowed ground called Osugi-yashiro.
• Osugi-yashiro contains old foundation stones.
• Osugi-yashiro has a rock that is a shintai of Amaterasu-no-Okami.

Getting there

• Osugi-yashiro is about 100 meters away from the shrine.

Address

和歌山県東牟婁郡那智勝浦町市野々1993 Map

Read more about Ichinono Ōji Shrine

Historic hillside shrine dedicated to Sugawara no Michizane, with important cultural properties and scenic views.

What it is

• A shrine in Wakayama City, Wakayama Prefecture.
• Dedicated to Sugawara no Michizane, a scholar and politician.
• One of Japan's three Sugan-byo shrines.
• Also known as Tsunashiki Tenjin.

What to see

• Main hall, rebuilt in 1606, is an Important Cultural Property.
• Tower gate, rebuilt in 1605, is an Important Cultural Property.
• Shrine grounds are part of a National Historic Site.
• Located on the hillside of Wakaura Tenjin-yama.

When to go

• Brush memorial service is held on August 20th.

Getting there

• Accessible by Wakayama Bus from Wakayama Station.

Official site

wakamatsuri.com

Read more about Wakaura Tenmangū

Visit this shrine to see a unique collection of historical ship ema, reflecting local maritime heritage.

What it is

• A shrine built in 1546 by Fujiwara Ujiyasu.
• Originally named Nyakuichi Ōji Gongen-sha.
• Home to the Susami Town History and Folklore Museum.

What to see

• Fifty-five ema dedicated from late Edo to Meiji periods.
• About 60% of the ema are ship ema.
• Ema are designated town cultural properties.
• Ema are preserved and exhibited in the museum.
• The museum exhibits historical and folk materials.

When to go

• Museum is open Tuesdays and Saturdays.
• Museum hours are 9 AM to 4 PM.

Getting there

• Accessible from JR Kisei Main Line Susami Station.

Address

和歌山県西牟婁郡すさみ町周参見山崎2290番地 Map

Read more about Susami Ōji Shrine

Visit this historic coastal shrine to see unique architecture and ancient deities.

What it is

• A shrine located in Kemi, Wakayama City.
• Formerly a village shrine and auxiliary shrine of Hinokuma Kunikakasu Jingu.
• Believed to be one of the Moto-Ise, Nagusa Hamanomiya.
• Rebuilt after 1619, remodeled during the Kyoho era.

What to see

• The main hall, consisting of two shrines.
• Shrine buildings remodeled in the style of Ise Jingu.
• The first shrine enshrines Amaterasu Sumeru Okami.
• The second shrine enshrines Amakakasu Okami and Kunikakasu Okami.
• Located on the coast, formerly Nagusa no Hama.

When to go

• Annual festival is held on April 16.

Address

和歌山県和歌山市毛見1303 Map

Read more about Hamanomiya (Wakayama)

Susa Shrine is a historic site dedicated to Susanoo-no-Mikoto, offering cultural insights and scenic views.

What it is

• Dedicated to the deity Susanoo-no-Mikoto.
• Also enshrines Inadahime-no-Mikoto and other deities.
• Formerly served as a village shrine.
• Spared from war by Toyotomi Hideyoshi in 1587.

What to see

• Current shrine stands in front of Tenno Pond.
• Iwakura rock formation on Mt. Iwafune summit.
• Several auxiliary shrines on the grounds.
• Part of the "Southern Mandala Landscape" scenic spot.

When to go

• Summer festival is held on July 7th.
• Niiname-sai festival takes place on November 23rd.
• Maro Lion Dance is an intangible folk cultural property.

Address

和歌山県田辺市中万呂5 Map

Read more about Susa Shrine

A vermilion shrine in Wakayama known for its vibrant Edo-period demon dance festival.

What it is

• Originally the tutelary deity of Shiide Village.
• Merged with Itsukushima Shrine in Kamikosawa in 1911.
• Known as Benzaiten-sha during the Edo period.
• Famous for the Shiide Oni no Mai dance.

What to see

• Shrine building painted in vivid vermilion.
• Colorful images of elephants, tigers, lions, and rabbits.
• Jizoji Temple is adjacent to the shrine.

When to go

• Oni no Mai festival held annually on August 16th.
• Festival has been held since the Edo period.

Getting there

• 3-minute walk from Koya-Shita Station.

Address

和歌山県伊都郡九度山町椎出３ Map

Read more about Shiide Itsukushima Shrine

This ancient UNESCO World Heritage site on the Kumano Kodo pilgrimage route venerates Mt. Horai.

What it is

• UNESCO World Heritage Site and ancient place of worship.
• One of the most important sites of the Kumano faith.
• Venerates Mt. Horai, a mountain with two millennia of worship.
• Enshrines Chinese scholar Jofuku (Xu Fu).

What to see

• Mt. Horai, a sacred mountain.
• Over 190 kakebotoke (hanging tablets) in the museum.
• Kakebotoke date to Yayoi and Kofun periods.
• Shrine and mountain are on the Kumano Kodo pilgrimage route.

Getting there

• Located at the foot of Mt. Horai.
• On the banks of the Kumano River, Wakayama Prefecture.

Address

和歌山県新宮市阿須賀1-25-25 Map

Official site

iesui.com

Read more about Asuka Shrine

Visit Nichizengu, two ancient shrines side-by-side, for a glimpse into Japan's spiritual heritage.

What it is

• Two shrines, Hinokuma Jingu and Kunikakasu Jingu, side-by-side.
• Collectively known as Nichizengu or Nagusamiya.
• Both are ancient Shikinaisha and Ichinomiya of Kii Province.
• Hinokuma Okami and Kunikakasu Okami are the main deities.

What to see

• Hinokuma Jingu is on the left from the entrance.
• Kunikakasu Jingu is on the right from the entrance.
• See Higata no Kagami, the divine body of Hinokuma Okami.
• See Hiboko no Kagami, the divine body of Kunikakasu Okami.
• Shrine buildings restored by Tokugawa Yorinobu in the Edo period.

Address

和歌山県和歌山市秋月365 Map

Official site

hinokuma-jingu.com

Read more about Hinokuma Jingū

Suga Shrine is a historic shrine in Wakayama, known for its vibrant autumn horse festival.

What it is

• Dedicated to Susanoo-no-Mikoto and other deities.
• Originally named Gion Goryo-gu.
• Served as the guardian shrine of Nanbu-sho.
• Renamed Suga Shrine in 1868.

What to see

• Main shrine building is a Tangible Cultural Property.
• Current shrine buildings date from the mid-Edo period.

When to go

• Autumn festival on October 8th and 9th.
• Festival includes horse racing and Yabusame.
• Autumn festival is a cultural property.

Getting there

• About 10 minutes by car from Minabe IC.

Address

和歌山県日高郡みなべ町西本庄242 Map

Read more about Suga Shrine

Visit this historic shrine, a national site and birthplace of the Suzuki surname.

What it is

• One of five special Ōji shrines.
• Main deity is Nigihayahi-no-Mikoto.
• Birthplace of the Suzuki surname.
• Shrine grounds and Suzuki Residence are a national historic site.

What to see

• Main hall is a Prefectural Tangible Cultural Property.
• Pond-stroll garden from the late Muromachi period.
• Three wooden seated statues are Prefectural Cultural Properties.
• Suzuki Residence restoration completed in March 2023.

When to go

• Fujishiro Lion Dance is a Prefectural Intangible Folk Cultural Property.

Address

和歌山県海南市藤白466 Map

Official site

fujishiro-jinja.net

Read more about Fujishiro Ōji Shrine

Yanomiya Shrine: an ancient shrine in Wakayama, rebuilt by Tokugawa, with a rich history.

What it is

• Shrine dedicated to Kamotaketsunomikoto, also Yatagarasunomikoto.
• Founded during the reign of Empress Suiko.
• Rebuilt in 1637 by Tokugawa Yorinobu.
• Revered by Kishu domain lords until the Meiji Restoration.

What to see

• The main shrine building.
• An Inari Shrine on the grounds.
• A Konpira Shrine on the grounds.

When to go

• Main festival is held on October 13th.

Getting there

• Wakayama Bus from Nankai Wakayamashi Station.
• Wakayama Bus from JR Wakayama Station.

Address

和歌山県和歌山市関戸1丁目5-27 Map

Read more about Yanomiya Shrine

Shinoda Shrine offers a glimpse into ancient Japanese worship and a remarkable natural monument.

What it is

• A shrine in Hashimoto City, Wakayama Prefecture.
• Renovated in 979.
• Dedicated to Amaterasu, Ninigi, Nigihayahi, Emperor Jimmu, and Iwanagahime.
• Known for mole suppression.

What to see

• A camphor tree, a designated natural monument.
• The camphor tree is approximately 25 meters tall.
• The camphor tree has a trunk circumference of about 7 meters.
• The camphor tree is an estimated 400 years old.
• The main hall is a wooden copper-plated roof structure.
• The shrine office is a wooden tiled-roof building.

Address

和歌山県橋本市高野口町九重283番地 Map

Read more about Shinoda Shrine

This shrine, dedicated to Koyasan's guardian goddess, is notable for its ancient sake offering tradition.

What it is

• Quiet building enshrining Niutsuhime, guardian goddess of Koyasan.
• Mountain behind is where goddess first descended to earth.
• Believed to be one of the first shrines to offer sake to gods.
• Established in its current iteration in 1873.

What to see

• Towering ginkgo tree, over 800 years old.

When to go

• Fall, when ginkgo tree drops yellow leaves.

Getting there

• 25-minute walk from Myoji Station.
• Starting point of Mitanizaka Trail to Niutsuhime Shrine.

Address

和歌山県伊都郡かつらぎ町三谷631番地 Map

Read more about Niusakadono Shrine

Susa Shrine is an ancient shrine in Wakayama, home to important cultural properties and a unique divination ritual.

What it is

• An ancient Shikinaisha shrine in Wakayama Prefecture.
• Dedicated to the deity Susanoo-no-Mikoto.
• First mentioned in historical literature in 806.

What to see

• Main hall is a copper-plated Ichi-kensha Sumikiiri Kasuga-zukuri style.
• Main hall is an Arida City designated cultural property.
• A tachi sword is a National Important Cultural Property.
• Another tachi sword is an Arida City designated cultural property.

When to go

• January 15 for the rice porridge divination ritual.

Address

和歌山県有田市千田1641 Map

Read more about Susa Shrine

Ancient shrine dedicated to a unique deity, with historic buildings and a famous festival.

What it is

• Shrine founded in 783 by Otomo Funanushi.
• Also known as Tanomoshi-no-Miya.
• Main deity is Niu-tsuhime-no-Mikoto.
• Located within Kokawa-dera Temple grounds.

What to see

• First Main Hall is a designated cultural property.
• Second Main Hall is a designated cultural property.
• Tenpuku Shrine is a designated cultural property.

When to go

• Kokawa Festival is one of Kishu's three major festivals.
• Festival procession is a designated intangible folk cultural property.

Address

和歌山県紀の川市粉河2788 Map

Read more about Kokawa Ubusuna Shrine

A historic shrine in Wakayama City dedicated to Izanagi no Mikoto and other deities, formerly known as Zao Gongen.

What it is

• A general shrine for the former Ogura district located on Mount Kikko.
• The main enshrined deity is Izanagi no Mikoto alongside four other major deities.
• Sakanoue no Tamuramaro invited the deity to this site from Kinpu Shrine.
• Renamed to Ogura Shrine in 1909 after being known as Zao Gongen and Akira Shrine.

What to see

• The shrine grounds situated on the site also known as Mount Kikko.
• Enshrined figures including Izanami no Mikoto, Isotakeru no Mikoto, and Hiruko no Mikoto.

Read more about Ogura Shrine

Kirime Ōji Shrine is a historic Kumano pilgrimage site with a unique sacred tree.

What it is

• A shrine in Inami Town, Wakayama Prefecture.
• One of the Kumano Sanjūrokubu Ōji pilgrimage sites.
• Dedicated to the Eleven-faced Kannon deity.
• Designated a National Historic Site in 2022.

What to see

• The current worship hall, rebuilt in 1908.
• The sacred Nagi tree.
• A giant, 16-meter-tall Horutonoki tree.
• The Horutonoki tree is approximately 300 years old.

Getting there

• 15-minute walk from Kirime Station.
• Kirime Station is on the JR Kisei Main Line.

Address

和歌山県日高郡印南町西ノ地328 Map

Read more about Kirime Ōji Shrine