Review

This is a nice shrine to visit if you’re in the area. It’s very famous and if you combine it with the other sights in Atami then it’s a great day trip from Tokyo! The shrine entrance features a small bamboo tunnel, perfect for taking photos. Since it’s so famous you may struggle to get photos without anyone else in them. Make sure you also have a look in front of the shrine as there’s usually a heart-shaped leaf exhibit there.

ADDRESS:

Kinomiya Shrine,
43-1 Nishiyamacho,
Atami,
Shizuoka Prefecture,
413-0034

+8155 782 2241 (Japanese only)
http://kinomiya.or.jp/ (Japanese only)

RECOMMENDED ROUTE:

If you don’t have a car you can take the Shinkansen to Odawara and switch to the Tokaido Line and alight at Kinomiya Station. The shrine is a short walk from there.

Review

Moroguchi Shrine is a gorgeous place to visit no matter the time of year. With excellent views of Mt. Fuji, I recommend coming in the winter season as it can be difficult to get a clear view of Mt. Fuji on a summer day. You definitely won’t regret coming if you happen to time your visit during golden hour/sunset!

ADDRESS:

Moroguchi Shrine,
2711 Heda,
Numazu,
Shizuoka Prefecture,
410-3402

+8155 894 3115 (Japanese only)
https://genbu.net/data/izu/moroguti_title.htm (Japanese only)

RECOMMENDED ROUTE:

Moroguchi Shrine is easiest to get to by car however you are able to take the bus from Numazu station to Heda and then walk round to the viewpoint.

Review

Cape Ose Shrine is a small shrine which I wouldn’t recommend unless you were specifically coming to the area to look at the other spots of interest. There isn’t much to do here, unless you come on April 4th when they hold their yearly festival.

ADDRESS:

Cape Ose,
329-329 Nishiuraenashi,
Numazu,
Shizuoka Prefecture,
410-0244

+81 55 942 2603 (Japanese only)
http://www.osezaki.jp/oseshrine.html (Japanese only)

RECOMMENDED ROUTE:

Cape Ose Shrine is only available by car.

Shirahama Shrine Beach Tori Gate

VIEWPOINT

As well as being the oldest shrine in the Izu peninsula, Shirahara Shrine is home to a gorgeous tori gate overlooking the ocean! It’s a definite must-see if you’re in the area, especially if you’re looking for the perfect “Instagrammable” spot.

There is a car park available with the first hour free.

Review

Shirahama Shrine is one of the most famous shrines in the whole peninsula. Rich with over 2,400 years of history and a gorgeous tori gate overlooking the ocean, it’s easy to see why. If you’re in the area then definitely take the time to look around and take that Instagrammable shot!

Head out from the shrine either via the car park entrance or the front entrance and head to the tori gate. Make sure you bundle these together if you’re visiting!

Heading through the first tori gate, you’ll immediately find yourself on Shirahama Beach. You will most likely fun many other people here as this beach is not only famous, but the tori gate is one of the most well-known places in this area. To take a photo make sure you line up (if there is a line) and wait your turn. Don’t just jump in. When I got there, some women were just sitting there in the way of the photos so we weren’t able to take any good shots. Don’t be this kind of tourist! Wait your turn and move out of the way when you’re done!

ADDRESS

Shirahama Shrine,
2741-5 Shirahama,
Shimoda,
Shizuoka Prefecture,
415-0012

+81542619030 (Japanese only)
http://www.ikonahime.com/ (Japanese only)

RECOMMENDED ROUTE:

It’s easier to get to the beach by car however there is no free parking nearby. To use public transport then take the train from Atami Station and alight at Shimoda Station. Switch to the bus headed for Itadoichiki (板戸一色行) and alight at Shirahama Shrine Bus Stop.

Shirahama Shrine

SHRINE

Shimoda is home to the oldest shrine in the Izu area. Built more than 2,400 years ago, Shirahama Shrine is believed to have the power to bless people with success in business, relationships and traffic safety. It is famous for the tori gate overlooking the beach nearby. There also seems to be a path up the mountain, however this is closed off towards closing time so make sure to get here early!

There is a car park available with the first hour free.

Review

Shirahama Shrine is one of the most famous shrines in the whole peninsula. Rich with over 2,400 years of history and a gorgeous tori gate overlooking the ocean, it’s easy to see why. If you’re in the area then definitely take the time to look around and take that Instagrammable shot!

The shrine itself is pretty small with not much to do. The entrance is very picturesque so definitely head in via the front entrance. We arrived after closing so I wasn’t able to climb up the mountain stairs to give you a review of that. I’ll definitely head up next time!

Head out from the shrine either via the car park entrance or the front entrance and head to the tori gate. Make sure you bundle these together if you’re visiting!

ADDRESS

Shirahama Shrine,
2741-5 Shirahama,
Shimoda,
Shizuoka Prefecture,
415-0012

+81542619030 (Japanese only)
http://www.ikonahime.com/ (Japanese only)

RECOMMENDED ROUTE:

It’s easier to get to the beach by car however there is no free parking nearby. To use public transport then take the train from Atami Station and alight at Shimoda Station. Switch to the bus headed for Itadoichiki (板戸一色行) and alight at Shirahama Shrine Bus Stop.

Mishima Taisha

SHRINE

As Mishima’s main shrine, the taisha can get very crowded on important events, such as New Year and any important age ceremonies held in Japan.

Home to the god Oyamazumi, the guardian deity of agricultural products, the shrine is very popular among merchants, local industries and fishermen. Izu is a very agricultural area so the shrine is very important for the people of Izu. Feel free to drop by, no matter what your religion/industry and offer up some money in exchange for a wish to the gods.

The shrine holds many of the local events to ensure to check the website (Japanese only) for any events being held on the day you wish to go. If you wish to celebrate the New Year in Japan then I definitely recommend coming here. The crowds are large but you can soak up the atmosphere. There won’t be any bell or cheering during New Year as most people go there to silently pray/buy new charms to protect them in the upcoming year.

Review

The shrine is a big focal point of the small city of Mishima. It can get very crowded during important occasions (there was a long line waiting to pray at New Year when I went at midnight), however most of the time it is pretty open and allows you to go around it at your own leisure. At the back is the main hall which you pray, with stores along the side allowing you to buy charms/fortunes for the gods to protect you during the coming year. If you’re coming to pray then make sure to pray correctly (although don’t worry if you get the order wrong). Shrines are very respectful places in Japan so usually people won’t be very loud.

At the side of the shrine there is also an enclosure for deer and chickens. It smells a little but if you want you can sit beside the enclosure and watch the animals.

ADDRESS

Mishima Taisha,
2 Chome-1-5 Omiyacho
Mishima,
Shizuoka Prefecture,
411-0035

+81559750172
http://www.mishimataisha.or.jp/ (Japanese only)

RECOMMENDED ROUTE:

Mishima Taisha is within walking distance from Mishima Station. The shrine itself also holds a car park for anyone driving, ￥200 per hour.

Suwa Shrine

SHRINE

Japan has many hidden shrines/temples dotted across their districts. Each area in each town has its own designated shrine/temple. Suwa Shrine is dedicated to the people of the Oyabu block within Toi.

The shrine is very small and unmanned but if you’re in Toi and want to pray/look at a local shrine then feel free to visit. During the summer they also hold a mikoshi festival, where the locals carry a portable shrine on their shoulders around the area to bring the god to each and every person, and therefore the good luck. Foreigners are free to join in and help carry if they wish.

Review

This is a very small, local shrine with not much to do so I don’t recommend coming out of your way just to visit it. If you’re here in summer then definitely drop by and watch the mikoshi festival, or even join in if you want.

ADDRESS

Suwa Shrine,
82 Toi,
Izu City,
Shizuoka Prefecture,
410-3302

+81542619030 (Japanese only)
http://www.shizuoka-jinjacho.or.jp/shokai/jinja.php?id=4402057 (Japanese only)

RECOMMENDED ROUTE:

Take the train from Mishima to Shuzenji on the Izu Hakone Tetsudo Line. Then switch to the bus bound for Dogashima (堂ヶ島) and get off at Toi Onsen (土肥温泉).