Shinto Shrines to visit

[gerald_ford]

Hello,

I know religion topics don't come up much, but I have a deep interest in Japanese religion, and whenever I get out there, I try to visit this or that Buddhist temple, or Shinto Shrine. Does anyone have any good suggestions in the Tokyo area? I have been to Meiji Jingu before (and it was very nice), so I was wondering what else might exist.

I know plenty of Buddhist temples form past visits, but want to branch out and see what Shrines exist there as well. Personal stories would be appreciated too.

Cheers and thank you!

[hatch_jp]

According to the following site, there are 1398 shinto shrines in tokyo.
The site is operated by the Association of Shinto Shrines in tokyo which is a religious administrative organization.
I think you can find some information you need there. Unfortunately the site is written in only Japanese. You should vist the office located near Meiji Jingu.

http://www.tokyo-jinjacho.or.jp/

[gerald_ford]

Thank you, hatch_jp. That's a very helpful reference.

Does anyone have personal experience visiting these shrines? I'd love to hear it. Thanks!

[Belton]

I like Shrines.

Unfortunately my knowledge of Japan is Kansai and Chubu. I've only been to Tokyo once. I think I prefer more rural Japan than metropolitan areas.

Anyhow, In Tokyo my favourite is a small shrine beside Senso-ji (of Kaminarimon fame)
It is a tanuki shrine.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/hanabidays/312555464
Maybe because of that a favourite with the various businesses in Asakusa. There are many beckoning cat statues in the shrine. Indeed rather than a tanuki the major diety seems to be a beckoning cat.

to digress,
If you ever go farther afield, Jisyu Jinjya in Kyoto behind Kiyomizudera. It can feel very touristy but I was there on a very quite day and had an interesting talk with an old guy who turned out to be the chief priest.
Also in Kyoto is Fushimi Inari Taisya, with it's kilometers of tunnels stretching up the hillside forests. Well worth a visit.

In Ise, there is a shrine by the cave where the sun goddess had to be lured out of hiding. Very small and very remote though. Interesting to be somewhere so outstanding in japan's mythology.

At Japans farthest tip by shinkansen, Kagoshima, in Sengaen I found a shrine dedicated to cats who were brought to Korea in Hideyoshi's invasion to allow their owner to tell the time! (Cats eyes change shape over the course of the day apparently)

Also on Sakurajima, the volcano opposite Kagoshima there is a shrine that is a rotenburo at Furosato Onsen, You have to wear a sort of yukata but you enter the bath through a tori and there is a shrine to Kannon (I think) in the roots of a tree.
http://www.johnharveyphoto.com/Japan3/S ... nPool.html

[gerald_ford]

Thanks Belton, I've been to Kyoto before, and some of the names you mention sound familiar, so I might have seen them before (though I didn't know the names at the time).

I love Sensoji, but didn't know about the Tanuki shrine, so I may check it out on my next visit.