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Tour the gods of music and entertainment! Recommended shrines, temples, and power spots

Tour the gods of music and entertainment! Recommended shrines, temples, and power spots
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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.

shrine

Yoyogi Hachimangu Shrine

It’s become a hot topic among celebrities that visiting here will lead to a big break, and the Shusse Inari shrine on the grounds is also beloved as a popular power spot. Originally, Hachiman was enshrined here, and it is said that warriors would visit before battles to pray to the deity who protects the nation. From that tradition, the benefit of success and advancement likely emerged. Why not offer a prayer for a major breakthrough—whether in entertainment or music?

Hidden power spot: Yoyogi Hachimangu’s Shusse Inari is recommended by celebrities too!
Yoyogi Hachimangu Shrine
NameYoyogi Hachimangu Shrine
Address5-1-1 Yoyogi, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
Websitehttp://www.yoyogihachimangu.or.jp/

Geinō Asama Shrine

This is a small shrine located within the grounds of Hanazono Shrine, right in the heart of Tokyo. Since the Edo period, it has had deep ties to theater and dance, and even today it is cherished as a shrine that brings good fortune in the performing arts. Next to this small shrine stands a monument inscribed with lyrics by the singer Keiko Fuji.

The Entertainment Sengen Shrine located within the grounds of Hanazono Shrine in Shinjuku, Tokyo
Geinō Asama Shrine
NameGeinō Asama Shrine
Address5-17-3 Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo
Websitehttp://hanazono-jinja.or.jp

Enoshima Shrine (Enoshima Jinja)

Enoshima Shrine enshrines the three sister goddess Benzaiten, known as the Enoshima Great Deities. Like Benzaiten at other shrines, she is believed to grant blessings for improved artistic skills. Along with Miyajima and Ōmi, Enoshima’s Benzaiten is counted among the Three Great Benzaiten of Japan, and from the Edo period the pilgrimage to Enoshima was said to be very popular. Sightseeing around Enoshima after your visit is also recommended.

NameEnoshima Shrine (Enoshima Jinja)
Address2-3-8 Enoshima, Fujisawa-shi, Kanagawa
Websitehttp://enoshimajinja.or.jp/

Osaka Tenmangu Shrine

Osaka Tenmangu Shrine, where Sugawara no Michizane is enshrined and which is known for bringing good fortune in academics. Affectionately called Tenjin-san of Temma, this shrine is actually believed to bless the performing arts as well! Since it’s associated with passing exams, praying to pass screenings such as auditions may also bring you good luck.

Hatsumode at Osaka Tenmangu in 2015
Osaka Tenmangu Shrine
NameOsaka Tenmangu Shrine
Address1-1-8, Tenjinbashi 2-chome, Kita-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka-fu
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Websitehttps://osakatemmangu.or.jp/

Kuramazaki Shrine

Kuruma-ori Shrine, located near the popular sightseeing area of Arashiyama in Kyoto, is very famous as a shrine dedicated to the performing arts and is frequently featured in media such as TV and magazines. The tamagaki (fence) within the shrine is lined with the names of numerous entertainers and artists, so it’s enjoyable just to visit and look around. It’s a recommended shrine for those who wish to boost their luck in music and the performing arts, as well as for fans of those fields.

Geinō Shrine (Kuruma-iori Shrine)
Kuramazaki Shrine
NameKuramazaki Shrine
Address23 Asahi-cho, Saga, Ukyo-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto
Websitehttp://www.kurumazakijinja.or.jp/

Itsukushima Shrine (Itsukushima Jinja)

Itsukushima Shrine on Miyajima in Hiroshima Prefecture is one of the most famous shrines in Japan. The great torii gate rising from the sea is truly majestic. The shrine enshrines the three Munakata goddesses—Tagorihime-no-Mikoto, Tagitsuhime-no-Mikoto, and Ichikishimahime-no-Mikoto. Among them, Ichikishimahime-no-Mikoto is said to be the most beautiful and especially skilled in the performing arts. It’s a highly recommended shrine for prayers to improve your artistic talents.

[Beautiful Japan] Hiroshima Itsukushima Shrine
Itsukushima Shrine (Itsukushima Jinja)
NameItsukushima Shrine (Itsukushima Jinja)
Address1-1 Miyajima-cho, Hatsukaichi-shi, Hiroshima Prefecture
Websitehttp://www.itsukushimajinja.jp/index.html

Kanehebi Suijin Shrine

Kanehebi-sui Shrine is a historic shrine with a slightly unusual reading, “Kanahebi-sui.” It is said to have begun when people who settled in this iron-producing area prayed for good harvests and enshrined a water deity. There is also an anecdote that when a swordsmith was forging blades, the croaking of frogs was so loud he couldn’t concentrate; releasing a snake silenced the frogs. From the ties between gold/metal (iron), snakes, and water, the shrine is said to have received its name. Within the precincts, Kanehebi Benzaiten—also revered as a patron of the performing arts—is enshrined, and the shrine has long attracted deep devotion. On the first Sunday of July, the statue of this deity is unveiled to the public, so those wishing to improve their artistic skills may wish to pay a visit.

NameKanehebi Suijin Shrine
Address7 Suijin, Mishikiyoshi, Iwanuma-shi, Miyagi-ken
Websitehttps://kanahebi.cdx.jp/index.html