Shrine Spots in Okayama Area

Area

Okayama
- Japan
- Hokkaido / Tohoku
  
  Hokkaido
  
  Aomori
  
  Iwate
  
  Miyagi
  
  Akita
  
  Yamagata
  
  Fukushima
- Kanto
  
  Ibaraki
  
  Tochigi
  
  Gunma
  
  Saitama
  
  Chiba
  
  Tokyo
  
  Kanagawa
- Koshinetsu / Hokuriku
  
  Niigata
  
  Toyama
  
  Ishikawa
  
  Fukui
  
  Yamanashi
  
  Nagano
- Tokai
  
  Gifu
  
  Shizuoka
  
  Aichi
  
  Mie
- Kinki
  
  Shiga
  
  Kyoto
  
  Osaka
  
  Hyogo
  
  Nara
  
  Wakayama
- Chugoku
  
  Tottori
  
  Shimane
  
  Okayama
  
  Hiroshima
  
  Yamaguchi
- Shikoku
  
  Tokushima
  
  Kagawa
  
  Ehime
  
  Kochi
- Kyushu / Okinawa
  
  Fukuoka
  
  Saga
  
  Nagasaki
  
  Kumamoto
  
  Oita
  
  Miyazaki
  
  Kagoshima
  
  Okinawa

Category

Travel / Tourism

History / Culture / Tour

Shrine

Kibitsu-jinja Shrine

4.5

382 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Okayama Pref. Okayamashi Kita-ku Kibitsu 931

A Shinto shrine primarily dedicated to Kibitsu-hiko-no-mikoto, a prince who subjugated rebels and brought peace and order to this area as one of the four mighty Shido Shogun. Kibitsu-hiko-no-mikoto is also known as the model for the legend of Momotaro, one of Japan’s most popular folktales. The shrine is one of the largest in the old San’yodo area. The front shrine and main shrine, built in the hiyoku irimoya-zukuri style, are designated National Treasures, and were rebuilt in 1425 by the shogun Ashikaga Yoshimitsu. Must-see highlights include the shrine’s roughly 400 meter long covered gallery, and the various flowers which grow on the grounds year round. The shrine is famous for the Narukama Shinji, a ritual in which the whistling of a steaming iron pot is used for fortune telling purposes. The nearest station is Kibitsu Station.

A hidden gem located in the middle of nowhere but definitely worth the visit. The shrine sits atop a hill that offers a great scenery. The temple complex includes a long corridor. The shrine can be...
Kibitsuhiko-jinja Shrine

4.0

160 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Okayama Pref. Okayamashi Kita-ku Ichinomiya 1043

This shrine is located at the foot of Kibi no Nakayama in the Ichinomiya area of Kita Ward, Okayama City. The main shrine building is on the site of the residence of Okibitsuhiko no mikoto, who suppressed Kibi no Kuni, and has him as the principal shrine god. The shrine is also called “Asahi no Miya” (shrine of the morning sun) because the sun rises directly in front of the main torii gate and enters the mirror in the shrine on the summer solstice.

When I went there in the morning, the weather is cold. It has nice scene to capture photos. We can also check small pond in front of this temple. If you are interested, you can insert 100 coin at the...
Achi-jinja Shrine

4.0

219 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Okayama Pref. Kurashikishi Honmachi 12-1

This shrine stands atop a small hill in a corner of the Bikan Historical Quarter. The land is connected with the family of Achi no Omi, who came to Japan from the Korean Peninsula during the time of Emperor Ojin and helped develop Kibi Province, the predecessor to modern-day Okayama, with new technologies. The shrine grounds are home to the largest Akebono wisteria tree in the country; the best time to visit is when the tree is in bloom, from the end of April through May. The shrine sells Achi no Fujimori charms which contain wisteria seeds and are said to bring long life and good health.

Stunning views over Kurashiki. It’s worth the climb up the stairs! Follow the path from one end of the hilltop to the other! Beautiful cherry blossoms, very picturesque!
Yakuyoke Sohonzan Yuga-jinja Shrine Hongu (Mt. Yuga)

4.0

44 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Okayama Pref. Kurashikishi Kojimayuga 2852

This shrine is located in the Kojima Yuga area of Kurashiki City. The main shrine of the 52 Yuga shrines in Japan, the yakuyoke no sohonzan (head temple of warding off evil) is also known as one of Japan’s three top incarnations of buddha. Yugasan Rendai-ji Temple was founded in 733 by Gyoki, is became the sacred mountain for the mixing of Buddhism and Shinto. There is the custom of visiting both Mt. Yuga and Kagawa’s Kotohiragu Shrine for high divine blessings.

岡山旅行中、どこ行こっかってなってたまたま見つけたこちらの神社。金比羅さんと両方お参りするといいとあったので、参詣。車で山道を登る途中、歩いて登る人もいて、なんで車で行かないのかなぁと思っていたら、上の駐車場はほぼ満車！こんな大きな神社とは思わず気軽に立ち寄ってしまったw すごい行列してる所があって見てみたら「岡山県下ここにしかない推命おみくじ」とあって、気になって並んでみる。こ...
Nakayama-jinja Shrine

4.5

24 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Okayama Pref. Tsuyamashi Ichinomiya 695

This shrine is located in Ichinomiya, Tsuyama City. Said to have been built in 707, it is dedicated to Kagamitsukuri no Kami (god of mirror-making). It has been devoutly worshipped since long ago as the highest ranked temple in Mimasaka Province, and was rebuilt by Izumo castle lord Amago Haruhisa after it burned down in the 16th century. The main shrine is a nationally-designated important cultural property.

岡山にある奈良時代に創建された美作国一宮です。最初に貫の出ていないこの神社独特の鳥居があります。参道を進んでいくと、津山城から明治時代に移された神門があります。本殿は戦国時代に戦乱で焼失し、尼子氏が再建したもので、重要文化財です。一宮らしい立派な神社でした。
Isonokami Futsumitama-jinja Shrine

4.0

9 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Okayama Pref. Akaiwashi Ishikami 1448

This shrine is located in Ishikami, Akaiwa City. Besides being dedicated to Susanoo no Mikoto (Shinto god of the sea and storms), it also enshrines the sword the god used to vanquish Yamato no Orochi (legendary eight-headed and eight-tailed dragon) as an object of worship. The main shrine is located on the summit of the mountain behind the shrine.

明治時代まではスサノオがヤマタノオロチを退治したときに用いた剣「天羽々斬剣（あめのはばきりのつるぎ）」がご神体だったという。変わった神社名だが、この剣は「布都斯魂剣（ふつしみたまのつるぎ）」と呼ばれることもあるから、これが起源かもしれない。さらに天羽々斬剣は最古の神宮とされる石上神宮（奈良県天理市）に移されており、「石上」の名も何か共通項がありそうだ。場所は自動車でなければ参拝が難しい山中だ。さ...
Gion Shrine

4.0

13 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Okayama Kurashiki-shi Shimotsui 1-13-16

A six-minute drive from the Kojima Interchange on the Seto Chuo Expressway. Perched on a hill on the western side of Shimotsui Port, this shrine is on the grounds of the former Nagahama Castle. It was founded during the Muromachi period as Nagahama-miya Shrine to house the local tutelary god of the castle but then in the Edo period the god Gion Okami was transferred to the shrine and the name of the shrine changed to Gion Shrine. As a guardian of the sea, Kitamaebune shipping route sailors donated the tamagaki fence that surrounds the shrine as a prayer for safety and it bears the names of the sailors. The grounds of the shrine offer a great view point of both the Seto Ohashi Bridge and the port. Around here, you will find many monuments engraved with poems about Shimotsui and Setouchi composed by poets and novelists who visited this town.

須佐之男命を祭神とする古式に則る神社。境内には昭和天皇を始めとする歌碑句碑がたくさんある。瀬戸大橋と瀬戸内海の眺めは絶景。
Ushimado Shrine

Travel / Tourism

Okayama Pref. Setouchishi Ushimadochoushimado 2147

Ushimado Shrine is located in Ushimado, Ushimado -cho in the city of Setouchi. Some of the earliest members of the Imperial family are enshrined here, including Emperor Ojin and Empress Jingu. A long flight of stone steps leads up from the torii gate near Ushimado Swimming Beach to the shrine, and on the way up the steps, there is an observation point where one can enjoy the view of the ocean off Ushimado.
Onsen Yakushido

Travel / Tourism

Okayama Pref. Maniwashi Yubaraonsen 24

Onsen Yakushido is a temple devoted to Yakushi Nyorai, the Buddha of healing, located in the hot spring resort area of Yubara Onsen in the city of Maniwa. The votive image is an image of Yakushi Nyorai traditionally described as “about as big as one’s little finger.” It is revealed for public viewing on May 8 of each year during the temple’s Flower Festival.
Yagui no Miya Shrine

Travel / Tourism

Okayama Okayama-shi Kita-ku Takatsuka

This small shrine is close to Okayama Soja Interchange off the Okayama Expressway. Legends say this is where Kibitsu-hiko-no-mikoto, thought to be the basis for the story of Momotaro, fired the arrow split a boulder thrown by the ogre, Ura. A giant granite boulder found near the torii gate is said to be the one from the story, while the giant bamboo growing nearby is believed to have grown from Kibitsu's arrow. Kibitsu-jinja shrine is located where Kibitsu-hiko-no-mikoto quartered his army, and Yagui no Miya Shrine is midway between there and Oni no Jo, where Ura had his fortress. The stream running in front of the shrine is called Chisuigawa (blood sucking river), from the legend that says this river formed from the blood spilled when Kibitsu-hiko-no-mikoto's arrow pierced Ura's left eye.
Bicchu Soja Shrine

Travel / Tourism

Okayama Soja-shi Soja 2-18-1

A five-minute walk from JR Higashi-Soja Station. Located in the central part of Soja City this shrine is the origin of the name for both the city and the station. It's establishment is unknown but it's said that during the late Heian period to curtail pilgrimage times requirements 324 shrines were established together throughout the Bicchu region and that they then began performing religious rites together. Alongside the principle deity of the shrine, Onamochi-no-Mikoto (another name of Okuninushi-no-Mikoto), his wife Suseribime-no-Mikoto and 324 other gods are enshrined in the shrine. The shrine garden follows and ancient pattern and is said to have been used as a reference when Korakuen garden was built during the Edo period.
Shizutani Shrine

Travel / Tourism

Okayama Bizen Shizutani 784

A five-minute drive from JR Yoshinaga Station. This shrine is located on the site of the former Shizutani School. In 1686 the spirit and image of Ikeda Mitsumasa, the founder of the Shizutani School and first lord of the Bizen Okayama Domain, were enshrined and the shrine took the name of Houretsushi. In 1875 Mitsumasa's grandfather Terumasa and father Toshitaka were also enshrined in the shrine and the name was changed to Shizutani Shrine. Due to the Confucian Temple standing to the west the shrine is also sometimes called the Eastern-Temple. The eight buildings of the shrine including the hall of worship, hall of offerings, and inner sanctuary have been designated as Important Cultural Properties of Japan. The gilt bronze image of Mitsumasa enshrined in the inner sanctuary was cast in 1704.
Musashi Shrine

Travel / Tourism

Okayama Mimasaka-shi Miyamoto 968

A 15-minute walk from the Miyamoto-Musashi Station on the Chizu Express or a 20-minute drive from the Sayo Interchange. This shrine is located just south of the Musashi Museum and Miyamoto Musashi's Childhood Home. As the name suggests enshrined is the spirit of Miyamoto Musashi, the famous sword-saint from the early Edo period. Ever since it was built in 1971 great numbers of visitors have come to pray for success or victory. Located nearby the shrine is the family tomb and the stone wall of the main building contains a heart shaped stone that was excavated nearby that has become known as a power spot for romance fulfillment. The shrine's victory amulets are very popular.
Okayama Gokoku Shrine

4.0

14 Reviews

Life / Living / Hospital

Okayama Okayama-shi Naka-ku Okuichi 3-21

護国神社は日本全国にありますが、こちらもその一つで、岡山県出身、もしくは縁故のある英霊をお祀りしています。参道には8月15日に最後の特攻に出撃した宇垣纏提督と十七士を祀る菊水慰霊碑などもあります。
Wake Shrine

3.5

21 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Okayama Wake-gun Wakecho Fujino 1385

閑静な山間に位置する神社。決して大きくはないが、静謐な空気が漂う。アクセスは極めて悪く、公共交通機関は電車もバスも極端に少ないので行くなら車が断然お勧め。
Tamai Miya Toshogu Shrine Company office

3.5

10 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Okayama Okayama-shi Naka-ku Higashiyama 1-chome 3-81

岡山市内の路面電車終点東山で降りたら、徒歩７-８分といったところです。ただ結構きつい石段を登りますよ。もともとは玉井宮と東照宮は別々の神社だったそうです。安産にご利益が有ります。
Amatsu Shrine Office

4.0

16 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Okayama Bizen Inbe 628

備前焼の狛犬に迎えられ、中に進むと、門も備前焼の屋根と壁、本殿も備前焼が使われた建物で、風情がありました。階段が多いので、ちょっとした運動になります。本殿の裏の山に展望台があります。
Munetada Shrine

4.0

7 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Okayama Okayama-shi Kita-ku Kaminakano 1-chome 3-10

We held our wedding here so obviously, i feel a bit special about it. My wife grew up nearby so was an easy choice. They accommodated our over-large groups of foreign guests and were patient showing...
Japan Daiichi Kumano Shrine

3.0

4 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Okayama Kurashiki-shi Hayashi 684

無数の種類の御守とか外語表示の説明とか、全部買えばいくらかかるの？と云うくらいのおみくじやおまもり・・・その上、「流行りの(セキュリティの甘さで少しも流行ってないが)」ペイペイでの支払いとか・・・わたし的にはここは全く無縁と思われる程度の場所でした。境内も建物も、もっと綺麗にしておかないと・・・色々と由緒はあるのでしょうが、これでは再拝は個人的にはあり得ない。規模的にもわが居住地の古都京都の地域の...
Tokumori Shrine

3.5

12 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Okayama Tsuyama-shi Miyawaki Cho 5

城西地区の寺社の多い地域にありました。レンタル自転車でまわっていたので苦労しませんでしたが、徒歩でまわると津山駅からもそこそこ時間がかかる場所かもしれません。境内の建物の中に神輿が展示されていました。赤穂浪士の神崎与五郎の句碑がありました。社殿は江戸時代の早い時期の建築とのことでした。

Okayama

Okayama City / Around Korakuen Kurashiki Tamano Around Bizen and Ushimado Kibiji Takahashi / Fukiya Hiruzen Highland / Tsuyama / Mimasaka Three Hot Springs Ibara / Kasaoka

Travel / Tourism History / Culture / Tour Shrine

Okayama Areas

Overshadowed by Hiroshima to the west and the Kansai region to the east, Okayama is an easy spot to miss but a nature-rich gem where the Seto Inland Sea laps at its toes and peach and grape farms complete its interior. One of Japan’s Three Great Gardens, Koraku-en in Okayama city is well worth a visit before progressing to Kurashiki, where preserved wooden Edo buildings line the picturesque canal.