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
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/ |
Ryusenji (Ryūsen-ji)
The grave of Rentaro Taki, known for composing “The Moon over the Ruined Castle,” is located at Ryusen-ji Temple in Hiji, Oita Prefecture. His grave was originally at Manju-ji Temple in Oita City, but it was moved here in 2011. In addition to a bronze statue of Taki at the temple’s Ninomaru Hall, Hiji Town is still known as a place connected to him—for example, his music is broadcast over the town’s disaster-prevention loudspeakers as the hourly chime.
| Name | Ryusenji (Ryūsen-ji) |
| Address | 1856, Hiji-machi, Hayami District, Oita Prefecture |
| Website | https://hijinavi.com/hiji/rentaro-grave/ |
Michi-no-Eki Ashoro Galaxy Hall 21
At the roadside station in Ashoro, Hokkaido—Chiharu Matsuyama’s hometown—there’s an attached facility displaying items related to him. Exhibits include records he released in the past, autographs, and even guitars and stage costumes. It’s a great opportunity for fans, of course, and even for those who aren’t, to rediscover Matsuyama’s appeal. Outside the building, there is also a monument inscribed with the lyrics of his signature song, “Oozora to Daichi no Naka de” (Within the Vast Sky and the Earth).
| Name | Michi-no-Eki Ashoro Galaxy Hall 21 |
| Address | 1-21, Kita 1-jo, Ashoro-cho, Ashoro-gun, Hokkaido, Japan |
| Website | https://www.town.ashoro.hokkaido.jp/kanko/spot/spot-21.html |
Tsugaru Strait Winter Scenery Song Monument
There is a monument to the song “Tsugaru Strait—Winter Scene” right by Aomori Station, but the music-related power spot I especially recommend is the Tsugaru Strait Winter Scene Song Monument in Sotogahama. It’s set on a hill where you can actually look out over the Tsugaru Strait, with the vast ocean and the northern lands visible behind the monument. Press a button and the song plays, and listening to it while taking in the very scenery described in the lyrics is truly exceptional.
| Name | Tsugaru Strait Winter Scenery Song Monument |
| Address | Ryuhama, Aza Mimmaya, Sotogahama Town, Higashitsugaru District, Aomori Prefecture |
| Website | https://aomori-tourism.com/spot/detail_3481.html |