Top 3 Most Beautiful Temples and Shrines in Hyogo

According to “Kojiki” and “Nihon Shoki”, Japan’s oldest historical records, this is the nation’s oldest Shinto shrine. It enshrines “Izanagi-no-Mikoto” and “Izanami-no-Mikoto”, the deities who gave birth to the Japanese archipelago.

One of the largest “torii” gates in Japan is a highlight at this shrine, famous for providing good fortune in safe childbirth and matchmaking. Onokorojima Shrine is located in an area known for the myth of the gods creating this nation, according to the “Kojiki”, Japan’s oldest historical record.

Shoshazan Engyo-ji Temple was constructed in the year 966 on Mount Shosha, which towers over the city of Himeji. This temple is one of the 33 temples on the Saigoku Kannon Pilgrimage route and has been continuously worshiped by the Imperial family and nobility. Many of the buildings are now National Important Cultural Properties. For example, “Mani-den” where the principal object of worship is enshrined, “Dai-ko-do” the learning and training center, and the “Jiki-do” dormitory for trainee monks (finally completed in 1962). The temple is also famous as the location for the Hollywood movie, “The Last Samurai”.