Tour the gods of music and entertainment! Recommended shrines, temples, and power spots
Japan is home to countless shrines and temples, each said to offer various blessings.
Among them are many places believed to bestow benefits related to music and the performing arts.
In particular, shrines and temples that enshrine deities such as Ame-no-Uzume-no-Mikoto—known from the legend of Ama-no-Iwato—Benzaiten, the goddess of music, and Gigeiten, who grants blessings for artistic pursuits, are especially popular for their supposed benefits in music and entertainment.
In this article, we’ll introduce not only famous shrines like Kurumazaki Shrine in Kyoto and Yoyogi Hachimangu in Tokyo, but also a wide range of shrines and temples across Japan connected to music and the performing arts.
We’ll also highlight music-related power spots such as musicians’ graves, monuments with song inscriptions, and memorial museums.
If any of these places catch your interest, be sure to pay them a visit.
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power spot
Zoshigaya Cemetery
Zoshigaya Cemetery in Toshima, Tokyo is known for having the graves of many notable figures, including the novelist Natsume Soseki. Among those connected to music, the cemetery also contains the graves of composer Taku Izumi and lyricist Hachiro Sato. Izumi created numerous popular songs and musicals, while Sato wrote many children’s songs and popular tunes. The cemetery’s distributed guide map includes information on the graves of famous people, so please take a look.
| Name | Zoshigaya Cemetery |
| Address | Minamiikebukuro 4-chome, Toshima City, Tokyo |
| Website | https://www.tokyo-park.or.jp/reien/zoshigaya/index.html |
Masao Koga Memorial Park
Koga Masao was a composer who created numerous songs that became huge hits in the Showa era, such as “Over the Hill” and “In Longing for the Shadow.” A memorial park bearing his name is located in Fujikawaguchiko, Yamanashi Prefecture. In addition to his bust, the park features a monument engraved with the lyrics and score of his signature piece, “In Longing for the Shadow.” With the majestic presence of Mount Fuji rising behind it, this is a place where you can truly feel inspired.
| Name | Masao Koga Memorial Park |
| Address | 3032-1 Kawaguchi, Fujikawaguchiko-machi, Yamanashi Prefecture |
| Website | https://www.fujisan-net.jp/post_detail/%E5%8F%A4%E8%B3%80%E6%94%BF%E7%94%B7%E8%A8%98%E5%BF%B5%E5%85%AC%E5%9C%92%E3%83%BB%E9%9F%B3%E6%A5%BD%E7%A2%91%EF%BC%88%E5%AF%8C%E5%A3%AB%E6%B2%B3%E5%8F%A3%E6%B9%96%E7%94%BA%EF%BC%89 |
Toba Observatory
Toba Observatory, located on the Pearl Road connecting Toba City and Shima City in Mie Prefecture, is an observation deck renowned for its panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean. Within the grounds stands a monument to the song “Kyōdai-zake” by Ichirō Toba and Yutaka Yamakawa, both natives of Toba City. The monument is impressively large and shaped like an open book. Incidentally, Toba Observatory is also known as a popular spot to watch the first sunrise of the year, making it a perfect music-related power spot to visit on New Year’s Day.
| Name | Toba Observatory |
| Address | 3-3, Ootake, Aza, Kunisaki-cho, Toba-shi, Mie |
| Website | https://www.toba-tenboudai.co.jp/ |
Chikubu Island
Chikubu Island is a small isolated island about 2 kilometers in circumference, floating in the northern area of Lake Biwa. Ferries run from both Nagahama Port on the east side of the lake and Imazu Port on the west side, and it takes around 30 minutes to reach the island. Chikubu Island is known for Chikubushima Shrine and Hogonji Temple, where Benzaiten—the deity of music and the performing arts—is enshrined. The island itself has long been an object of worship and is still regarded as a spiritual spot connected to music and the arts. In addition to visiting the shrine and temple, why not go to take in the island’s overall atmosphere?
| Name | Chikubu Island |
| Address | Hayazaki-cho, Nagahama City, Shiga Prefecture |
| Website | https://www.biwakokisen.co.jp/tourist_info/tourist_area_cat/chikubushima/ |
Ube Shrine
At Ube Shrine in Tottori Prefecture rests Akira Ifukube, known as the composer of the Godzilla theme. Until his grandfather’s generation, his ancestors served as Shinto priests at Ube Shrine, and due to that connection, his grave was established there. Within the shrine grounds, there are signs directing visitors to his grave. There is also the Akira Ifukube Memorial Museum in Tottori City, so if you visit the grave, why not stop by the museum as well?
| Name | Ube Shrine |
| Address | 651, Miyashita, Kokufu-cho, Tottori-shi, Tottori-ken, Japan |
| Website | https://www.ubejinja.or.jp/ |