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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shrine
Koura Taisha (Kora Taisha) Shrine
At Korasan Koura Taisha in Fukuoka Prefecture, Koura Tamayorihime-no-Mikoto is enshrined. The shrine is known for blessings such as warding off misfortune, longevity, and traffic safety. As the birthplace of Koura Kagura, it is also believed to bestow favor in the performing arts. Various Shinto rituals are held from January 1st to 7th, making it a recommended destination for New Year’s shrine visits (hatsumode).
| Name | Koura Taisha (Kora Taisha) Shrine |
| Address | Mii-machi, Kurume City, Fukuoka Prefecture |
| Website | http://www.kourataisya.or.jp/ |
Aratate Shrine
Based on the legend that Sarutahiko-no-Mikoto and Ame-no-Uzume-no-Mikoto were married and lived in this place, it is believed to offer blessings for matchmaking. Ame-no-Uzume-no-Mikoto is also said to be Japan’s oldest dancer and the deity of the performing arts, so the shrine is thought to grant benefits for music and the arts as well. It is known as a shrine visited by entertainers, musicians, and athletes.
| Name | Aratate Shrine |
| Address | 667 Mitai, Takachiho Town, Nishiusuki District, Miyazaki Prefecture |
| Website | http://takachiho-kanko.info/sightseeing/detail.php?log=1337318849 |
Temple
Kosei-ji Temple
This is Koseiji Temple, the setting of the tale of the Gleeful Cat Ema, one of Izumi’s Seven Wonders. The story goes that, lured by the sound of a shamisen coming from the nearby red-light district, the cat depicted on a votive plaque leapt out of the ema, transformed into a woman, and began to dance. Because of this legend, Koseiji is believed to grant favor in the performing arts—especially in mastering the shamisen—and is said to be frequently visited by geiko and maiko.
| Name | Kosei-ji Temple |
| Address | 339, Nanaban-cho, Kamigyo-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto-fu |
| Website | https://koseiji.kyoto.jp/ |
Daiganji Temple
Daigan-ji Temple on Miyajima in Hiroshima Prefecture is said to have been restored by Ryokai around 1201–1203 during the Kamakura period. Enshrined there is Itsukushima Benzaiten—the only female among the Seven Lucky Gods and revered as the goddess of performing arts and fortune. Along with Enoshima and Chikubu Island, she is counted among Japan’s Three Great Benzaiten, and the statue is revealed to the public during the grand festival held each year on June 17. In addition, the Itsukushima Dragon God, regarded as Benzaiten’s messenger and enshrined in a pond within the temple grounds, is a hidden gem of Miyajima—a spiritual spot said to radiate powerful energy.
| Name | Daiganji Temple |
| Address | 3 Miyajima-cho, Hatsukaichi-shi, Hiroshima-ken |
| Website | https://www.miyajima.or.jp/sightseeing/ss_daiganji.html |
Kaneiji Shinobazu-no-ike Benten-do
Kaneiji Temple was established based on the concept of mitate (symbolic imitation). In other words, when Kaneiji was built, it was modeled after various shrines and temples around Kyoto. This Shinobazu Pond was conceived as an analogue to Lake Biwa in Shiga Prefecture, and the island in the pond was likened to Chikubu Island. Accordingly, just like Chikubushima Shrine, Benzaiten is enshrined here, and it is said to grant blessings related to music and the performing arts.
| Name | Kaneiji Shinobazu-no-ike Benten-do |
| Address | 2-1 Ueno Park, Taito City, Tokyo |
| Website | http://bentendo.kaneiji.jp/ |
Honkō-ji (Honkōji)
Honkōji Temple in Chiba Prefecture is famous for its blessings related to forming and severing ties, but its Inari Hall enshrines the Goddess Benzai Kotokuten, who is revered as a deity of the performing arts. It is said to offer benefits for artistic pursuits, such as improving in lessons and praying for the success of works.
| Name | Honkō-ji (Honkōji) |
| Address | 3-1695-1, Onomachi, Ichikawa-shi, Chiba-ken |
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| Website | https://www.honkouji.com/ |
Kamoen Temple
At Benten Hall of Kamoedera Temple in Hamamatsu, Shizuoka Prefecture, Benzaiten is enshrined and is believed to grant blessings for the performing arts and music. This Benzaiten at Kamoedera is counted as one of the Seven Lucky Gods of Lake Hamana, and many visitors come to Kamoedera as part of the Seven Lucky Gods pilgrimage.
| Name | Kamoen Temple |
| Address | 4-17-1 Kamo’e, Chuo Ward, Hamamatsu City, Shizuoka Prefecture |
| Website | http://kamoeji.jp/ |