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.
- Tour the gods of music and entertainment! Recommended shrines, temples, and power spots
- Masterpiece and popular songs by 88Kasyo Junrei
- [2026] A Collection of Classic and Popular J-Pop Songs About God [Japanese Music]
- [Japan] A collection of J-pop with a traditional Japanese (wa) vibe and Japanese-style taste
- April Music Festivals [2026]: A roundup of spring festivals, outdoor rock fests, and other music events
- Oni Out, Fortune In: A roundup of J-pop you’ll want to listen to during Setsubun
- [Japanese Music] A Collection of Cool Band Names [Naming]
- What does “taite,” a term you often hear at live shows and festivals, mean?
- A collection of cool songs that sound great when sung by women, originally male songs
- Traditional Japanese Music: Famous Pieces of Gagaku and Kagura. Recommended Traditional Japanese Music
- Only famous artists! Anime songs that energize the Reiwa era
- [Rice Songs] A selection of tracks where food appears in the lyrics!
- [Moon Songs Special] Famous songs about the moon. Songs you’ll want to listen to under a full moon or in the moonlight.
shrine
Shirahata Shrine
Shirahata Shrine, which shares the same name, can be found across the Kanto, Tohoku, and Chubu regions. It is sometimes written as Shirahata with the character for “banner” (白幡), which may also suggest a connection to the banners of Hachimangu. The Shirahata Shrine in Fujisawa enshrines Samukawa Hiko no Mikoto, who is said to have developed the Kanto region in ancient times. It also enshrines Ushiwakamaru, better known as Minamoto no Yoshitsune. Since long ago, Yoshitsune has been revered for bestowing blessings in scholarship and the performing arts. Speaking of the arts, one is reminded of Yoshitsune playing a transverse flute when he first met Benkei. The shrine grounds preserve many historic sites, and the striking statue of Lord Minamoto no Yoshitsune and Musashibo Benkei makes an ideal spot for commemorative photos.
| Name | Shirahata Shrine |
| Address | 2-4-7 Fujisawa, Fujisawa City, Kanagawa Prefecture |
| Website | http://www.shirahata-jinja.jp/ |
Ōhirasan Shrine
Taihei-san Shrine, which enshrines numerous deities, is known as the birthplace of traffic safety shrines, but among them are gods who grant blessings for the performing arts. These are enshrined at Fukujinja and Hoshinomiya Shrine, located near the main hall. Each shrine enshrines multiple deities, including Ame-no-Uzume-no-Mikoto at Fukujinja and Uji-no-Waki-Iratsuko at Hoshinomiya Shrine. Since both are deities of the performing arts, why not visit them together?
| Name | Ōhirasan Shrine |
| Address | 659, Hirai-cho, Tochigi-shi, Tochigi Prefecture |
| Website | http://www.ohirasanjinja.rpr.jp/ |
Hokosha / Hinomiko Shrine (within Togakushi Shrine)
Takaku Shrine’s Hokosha and Hinomikosha, located within Togakushi Shrine, are said to bestow blessings for the performing and creative arts. Hokosha enshrines Ame-no-Uwaharu-no-Mikoto, revered as a guardian deity of skill and artistry. Hinomikosha enshrines Ame-no-Uzume-no-Mikoto, the goddess of the performing arts, who is venerated for the legend of the Iwato Concealment: when Amaterasu Omikami hid herself in the Heavenly Rock Cave, Ame-no-Uzume danced before the cave and lured her out. When you visit Togakushi Shrine, be sure to pay your respects at these two shrines as well.
| Name | Hokosha / Hinomiko Shrine (within Togakushi Shrine) |
| Address | 3506 Togakushi, Nagano City, Nagano Prefecture |
| SNS | |
| Website | https://www.togakushi-jinja.jp/ |
Sunosaki Shrine
Susaki Shrine in Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture. It is famous as a deity of matchmaking, and is also believed to bring blessings for financial fortune, health, academics, and the performing arts. It’s said that this area used to be an inlet, and the shrine was named Susaki because of that terrain. It’s also close to a district lined with live music venues in Nagoya, so why not pay a visit before your first concert of the New Year?
| Name | Sunosaki Shrine |
| Address | 1-31-25 Sakae, Naka Ward, Nagoya City, Aichi Prefecture |
| Website | http://nk.xtone.jp/archives/suzakizinja.html |
Fujisan Hongu Sengen Taisha
This shrine enshrines Konohana-no-Sakuya-hime, the goddess regarded as the most beautiful among the deities. It is known for blessings of matchmaking, good health, and protection from misfortune, and because it honors the most beautiful goddess, it is considered a power spot effective for women’s overall happiness. It is said to be good to visit at life’s turning points or when making major decisions, and it is also believed to bring benefits in the performing arts.
| Name | Fujisan Hongu Sengen Taisha |
| Address | 1-1 Miyamachi, Fujinomiya-shi, Shizuoka-ken |
| Website | http://fuji-hongu.or.jp/sengen/ |
Sarume Shrine (Sarume Jinja)
At Sarume Shrine, located within the precincts of Sarutahiko Shrine, the deity Ame-no-Uzume-no-Mikoto is enshrined. She performed the sacred kagura dance that prompted Amaterasu Ōmikami to emerge from the Heavenly Rock Cave. Because of this legend, Ame-no-Uzume-no-Mikoto is regarded as the goddess of the performing arts and Japan’s oldest dancer, and this shrine is also believed to grant blessings for artistic pursuits. It is close to Ise Grand Shrine, so be sure to stop by when you visit.
| Name | Sarume Shrine (Sarume Jinja) |
| Address | Uji Urata, Ise City, Mie Prefecture |
| Website | http://www.sarutahikojinja.or.jp/ |
Imakumano Shrine
Shin-Kumano Shrine, which has long been the focal point of Kumano worship in Kyoto, is regarded as the birthplace of Noh theater. It is said that Zeami met Ashikaga Yoshimitsu here and developed Sarugaku, the precursor to Noh, into the art form of Noh theater. Because of this story, Shin-Kumano Shrine is known as a guardian of the performing arts and is believed to bestow blessings related to the arts.
| Name | Imakumano Shrine |
| Address | 42, Naganomori-cho, Imakumano, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto-fu |
| Website | http://imakumanojinja.or.jp/ |