The Kansai region is renowned for warding off evil and praying for blessings, such as the popular Namba Yasaka Shrine, known for its energy as a spot for bringing good fortune (business prosperity), the Ichihime Shrine, which protects women from evil spirits, and the oldest exorcism temple in Japan, Matsunoo Shrine, and so on.
Below, we will introduce ten recommended shrines and temples in the Kansai region that visiting will enhance your luck!
1. Yasaka Shrine (Kyoto)
Yasaka Shrine, affectionately known as "Gion-sama," is famous for being the venue for one of Japan's three major festivals held annually in July, the Gion Festival.
Yasaka Shrine is the head shrine of all Yasaka Shrines across the country, particularly renowned for warding off evil and matchmaking.
Open 24 hours a day. In the evening, lanterns are lit around the west gate facing Higashi Oji Street and the maiden.
- Exorcism fee: ¥8,000~
- Prayer appointment: Not required
- Yasaka Shrine (八坂神社)
- Address: 625 Gionmachi Kitagawa, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture
- Website: http://www.yasaka-jinja.or.jp/
2. Namba Yasaka Shrine (Osaka)
Namba Yasaka Shrine is famous as an energy spot in Namba. The impressively large lion head hall, standing at 12 meters, is popular as an energy spot for shouting victory, dispelling evil, and bringing good fortune (business prosperity).
Namba Yasaka Shrine enshrines the god of exorcism and business prosperity, Susano'o-no-mikoto, and the god of marriage and safe childbirth, Kushinadahime-no-mikoto.
Exorcism fee: ¥10,000
Prayer appointment: Required (phone 06-6641-1149)
- Namba Yasaka Shrine (難波八阪神社)
- Address: 2-9-19 Motomachi, Naniwa-ku, Osaka City, Osaka Prefecture
- Website: https://nambayasaka.jp/
3. Ichihime Shrine (Kyoto)
Ichihime Shrine is said to be a shrine that brings benefits to women, enshrining all female deities. It is one of the few shrines in Kyoto that can protect women from evil spirits.
Not only unlucky women, but even women praying for happiness often visit. It is said that if you drink the spring water called "Amame no I" and visit the shrine, your wishes will come true, and you can take it home.
Inside the popular "Fortune Princess" lies fortune, shaped like a perfume bottle and adorable Daruma dolls. You can take the doll home or write your wish on it and leave it by the well.
Exorcism fee: ¥5,000~
Prayer appointment: Not required
- Ichihime Shrine (市比賣神社)
- Address: 593 Honshio-gamachi, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture
- Website: http://ichihime.net/
4. Matsuo Temple (Nara)
Matsuo Temple is a temple of the Shingon Daigo sect located in Yamatokoriyama City, Nara Prefecture. It is said to have been built in 718 to pray for the completion of the "Nihon Shoki" and for protection from evil spirits when Emperor Shōmu was 42 years old. The main hall enshrines the principal deity, Senju Kannon (Kannon of warding off evil).
From mid-May to early June each year, you can also enjoy rose gardens in the park. In 1950, to commemorate the major renovation of the main hall, the old garden was restored and roses were planted.
- Exorcism fee: ¥10,000~
- Prayer appointment: Not required (No Friday prayers held from March to December)
- Matsuo Temple (Matsuo-ji)
- Address: 683 Yamadacho, Yamatokoriyama City, Nara Prefecture
- Website: http://www.matsuodera.com/
5. Takidani Fudōmyōji Temple (Osaka)
Takidani Fudōmyōji Temple is a temple located on the outskirts of Tondabayashi City. It is said to have been founded by Kōbō Daishi in the 12th year of the Saga Emperor (821), and the main deity enshrined is Fudō Myō-ō.
Legend has it that an old blind monk prayed to the Buddha day and night and regained his sight, and he is still revered as the "Eye God" by people. In addition, as a temple for praying for blessings and warding off evil, many people visit every day, especially on the 28th of each month when the festival is held.
- Exorcism fee: ¥5,000~
- Prayer appointment: Not required (Please check here for prayer start times)
- Takidani Fudōmyōji Temple
- Address: 1762 Achiga, Tondabayashi City, Osaka Prefecture
- Website: http://www.takidanifudouson.or.jp/
6. Yoshida Shrine (Kyoto)
Yoshida Shrine was founded in 859 and is the guardian deity of Heian-kyō (Kyoto). Since then, it has been a venerable shrine, beloved by the people of Kyoto as a deity of warding off evil, and is famous for being located next to the renowned Kyoto University.
Yoshida Shrine has various shrines dedicated to the eight million gods and the deity of snacks, Kazuko-jinja Shrine. Additionally, if you venture deeper into Yoshida Shrine, you will encounter Yoshida Mountain, where you can enjoy short hikes.
- Exorcism fee: ¥5,000~
- Prayer appointment: Not required
- Yoshida Shrine
- Address: 30 Kagurakaocho, Sakyo Ward, Kyoto City
- Website: http://www.yoshidajinja.com/yuisyo.htm
7. Houkokujinja Shrine (Shiga)
Houkokujinja Shrine, located in Nagahama City, is a shrine dedicated to Toyotomi Hideyoshi, the lord of Nagahama Castle. This shrine, affectionately called "Hachimangu Shrine," is a shrine for warding off evil.
During the festival held from January 18th to 20th every year, visitors flock here. It is also a place of prayer and blessing dedicated to Toyotomi Hideyoshi and is a popular spot for energy.
- Exorcism fee: ¥5,000~
- Appointment required for visit (Contact Shrine Office: 0749-50-4796)
- Houkokujinja Shrine
- Address: 2-4 Minamimachi, Fukumachi, Nagahama City, Shiga Prefecture
- Website: https://houkokujinja.com/
8. Onji Shrine (Osaka)
Onji Shrine in Yao City, Osaka Prefecture, is renowned as a shrine for warding off evil and bringing good fortune. It is said to have been established in the Yōro period (around 470 years ago) to protect the eastern Kawachi area of Osaka. The shrine is dedicated to Ōmiketsuhiko-no-okami and Ōmiketsuhime-no-okami.
Within the shrine, there are statues of a rabbit and a dragon, believed to be messengers of the deity of this shrine. The rabbit is thought to guide the divine spirit, while the dragon is believed to bring good fortune, happiness, and safety in travel and transportation.
Inside the main hall, there is also a "God's destiny rabbit" facing a mother rabbit, where many believers come to pray for good relationships.
- Exorcism fee: ¥7,000~
- No appointment necessary for prayers
- Onji Shrine
- Address: 5-10 Onchi Nakamachi, Yao City, Osaka Prefecture
- Website: http://www.onji.or.jp/
9. Ishiyamadera Temple (Shiga)
Ishiyamadera Temple is built on a huge limestone rock, which is also the origin of the temple's name. It is also famous for being the place where Murasaki Shikibu contemplated the story of "The Tale of Genji".
Said to have been founded by Ryōben, the head priest of Todai-ji Temple in Nara, under the prayers of Emperor Shomu in 747, the main deity enshrined here is the Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara. It is believed to have effects such as safe childbirth, good relationships, and warding off evil, and has been worshipped since ancient times.
Ishiyamadera Temple is called the "Flower Temple" because it can be admired for seasonal flowers. In autumn, 2,000 maple trees turn red, dyeing the courtyard red. From mid-November to late November, there is also a lighting performance, which is the best time to view the trees. "あたら夜もみじAtara Yomomiji" is also registered as a Japanese night view heritage.
- Exorcism fee: ¥3,600
- No appointment necessary for prayers
- Ishiyamadera Temple
- Address: 1-1-1 Ishiyama, Otsu City, Shiga Prefecture
- Website: http://www.ishiyamadera.or.jp/
10. Tanukidani Fudoin Temple (Kyoto)
This temple, known as the "Tanukidani Fudo Temple," is famous for prayers for traffic safety, warding off evil, and cancer prevention. It is said that people from Japan's entertainment and sports industries often come here for blessings, and a monument commemorating the Hanshin Tigers team champions is also erected in the temple grounds.
The main hall adopts the same "cliff-hanging" style as the Kiyomizu Temple stage and enshrines the "toilet deity" of Ucchusma, who is believed to have the power to purify impurities, along with many tanuki statues. This temple has many unique attractions not commonly found in other temples.
- Exorcism fee: ¥5,000~
- Prayer reservation: Not required (please check during New Year visits and special events)
- Tanukidani Fudoin Temple
- Address: 6 Ichijoji Matsubara-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto City
- Website: http://www.tanukidani.com/
