日本の神社仏閣 ぬり絵

Japanese

Shrines and Temples

Samples & Explanations

All the references are here.

Please use them as coloring samples.

1. Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine

(Kyoto Prefecture)

The torii gates of Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine are donated from all over the ​country, and it is said that a small one costs about 200,000 yen, and a large ​one costs over 1 million yen. The name of the donor is inscribed on the ​back of the torii gate. The fox, a messenger of the Inari god, holds a key ​and a scroll in its mouth, symbolizing treasure and wisdom, respectively. ​There is also a fortune-telling stone called the "Omokaru Stone," and if it is ​lighter than expected when lifted, it is said that your wish will come true. It ​is open 24 hours a day, and the Senbon Torii gates exude a particularly ​mystical atmosphere in the silence of night.

2. Meiji Shrine

(Tokyo)

When Meiji Shrine was founded, about 100,000 trees were collected from all ​over the country, and the forest was created as an artificial forest, imagining ​what it would be like in 100 years' time. Currently, a natural ecosystem has ​formed. The Kiyomasa Well on the grounds is said to be a well associated with ​Kato Kiyomasa, and is famous as a power spot. It has the highest number of ​first shrine visits in Japan, with over 3 million people visiting every year. ​Furthermore, the torii gates of Meiji Shrine are the largest in Japan, standing ​over 12 meters tall and made from 1,500-year-old cypress trees.

3. Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine

(Fukuoka Prefecture)

There is a "Flying Plum Legend" at Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine. It is said that ​when Sugawara no Michizane was demoted, a plum tree from Kyoto flew to ​Dazaifu overnight in love with him. This plum tree is still in front of the main ​shrine today and is well-known as the "Flying Plum." In addition, it is said that ​Michizane had a deep connection with cows, and if you stroke the head of the ​sacred cow in the shrine grounds, you will be granted wisdom. Dazaifu's ​specialty "Umegae Mochi" originated from a rice cake that was presented by an ​old woman who adored Michizane. Approximately 10 million people visit the ​shrine every year, and it is crowded with worshippers who pray for academic ​success and protection from misfortune.

4. Namba Yasaka Shrine

(Osaka Prefecture)

The biggest feature of Namba Yasaka Shrine is its gigantic 12m-tall lion hall. The ​lion's wide-open mouth is said to swallow evil spirits and bring good luck, making ​it popular with people praying for success in exams, sports, and business. The ​lion's eyes are lights and its nose is a speaker, and it is also used as sound ​equipment during festivals. The tug-of-war ritual held in January is a traditional ​event to ward off evil spirits and pray for good health. Located near the ​downtown area of ​​Namba, it is also attracting attention as a popular spot with ​tourists.

5. Itsukushima Shrine

(Hiroshima Prefecture)

The great torii gate of Itsukushima Shrine has a unique structure that stands on ​the sea; it is not fixed to the ground, but is stabilized by the weight of the torii ​gate itself (about 60 tons). The current great torii gate was built in 1875 and is ​made of camphor wood that is 500 to 600 years old. You can approach it on foot ​at low tide, but at high tide it creates a fantastical scene that seems to be floating ​on the sea. In addition, the corridor of Itsukushima Shrine is about 275m long, ​and as it is built on the sea, seawater flows under the floor at high tide. It is also ​registered as a World Heritage Site, and is visited by many tourists throughout the ​year.

6. Naminoue Shrine

(Okinawa Prefecture)

Naminoue Shrine is the most prestigious of the Eight Ryukyu Shrines, and is said ​to have been founded to pray for safety at sea and bountiful harvests. As it is built ​on a cliff, many people used to visit the shrine from boats. The shrine building was ​damaged during the war, but was rebuilt after the war and is now in its beautiful ​vermilion form. It reflects Okinawa's unique culture and has a different atmosphere ​from shrines on the mainland. The adjacent Naminoue Beach is the only swimming ​beach in Naha City and is popular with tourists and locals alike.

7. Hokkaido Shrine

(Hokkaido)

Hokkaido Shrine was founded in 1869 as the guardian deity of Hokkaido's ​development, and was originally called "Sapporo Shrine," but was renamed to its ​current name in 1964. Approximately 1,400 cherry and plum trees are planted ​within the shrine grounds, making it a popular spot for cherry blossom viewing in ​the spring. In particular, the grilled rice cakes called "Hangan-sama" at "Rokkatei ​Jingu Chaya Branch" within the shrine grounds are a specialty and are popular ​with worshippers. In addition, Hokkaido squirrels and wild birds live here, so you ​can feel the richness of nature even though it is located in Sapporo city. ​Approximately 700,000 people visit the shrine every year for the first visit of the ​year, making it the most visited shrine in Hokkaido.

8. Yasaka Shrine

(Kyoto Prefecture)

Yasaka Shrine was founded about 1,300 years ago and worships Susanoo-no-Mikoto ​as its main deity. It is the head shrine of the roughly 2,300 Yasaka Shrines and ​Gion Shrines across the country, and is known for its powers of warding off evil ​and disease. In particular, the Gion Festival in July is one of Japan's three major ​festivals, and the spectacular Yamahoko parade is a must-see. The Utsukushi ​Gozensha Shrine on the grounds is said to grant beauty benefits, and the spring ​water is popular with worshippers praying for beautiful skin. The main hall also ​features a unique architectural style known as Gion-zukuri.

9. Kanda Shrine

(Tokyo)

Kanda Shrine (Kanda Myojin) is a historic shrine founded in 730, and enshrines ​Daikokuten, Ebisu, and Taira no Masakado. Taira no Masakado in particular is ​worshipped as the god of military fortune, and many people from samurai to ​businessmen visit the shrine. The Kanda Festival, one of the three major festivals ​of Edo, is held every two years and is famous as a large-scale festival where ​gorgeous portable shrines and processions parade through the city. In addition, ​because it is close to Akihabara, many people from IT companies and the anime ​and game industries visit the shrine, and the shrine grounds are lined with unique ​scenes of votive plaques in collaboration with anime works.

10. Atsuta Shrine

(Aichi Prefecture)

Atsuta Shrine is a shrine associated with Emperor Yamato Takeru, and is said to ​be one of Japan's most miraculous shrines, as it enshrines the Kusanagi Sword, ​one of the Three Sacred Treasures. Warring States period generals also had strong ​faith in the shrine, and Oda Nobunaga prayed for victory before the Battle of ​Okehazama, and donated the Nobunaga Wall after the victory. The Ookusu tree on ​the grounds is said to be over 1,000 years old, and is popular as a power spot. ​The Atsuta Festival in June also features a fireworks display, attracting many ​worshippers. It is a famous Nagoya site, visited by over 7 million people a year.

11. Todaiji Temple

(Nara Prefecture)

Todaiji Temple was founded by Emperor Shomu to protect the country, and the ​Great Buddha of Nara (Rushanabutsu) is about 15 meters tall and weighs about 250 ​tons. At the time of its construction, most of the national finances were invested, ​and many citizens cooperated to complete it. The Great Buddha Hall is one of the ​largest wooden buildings in the world, but the current one was rebuilt in the Edo ​period and is about 30% smaller than the original. In addition, one of the pillars ​has a hole called "Hashirakuguri," which is said to be the same size as the Great ​Buddha's nostrils, and it is said that if you pass through it, you will be granted ​good health and prosperity.

12. Kinkakuji Temple

(Kyoto Prefecture)

Kinkakuji (Rokuonji) was built as the villa "Kitayamadono" for Ashikaga ​Yoshimitsu, the third Shogun of the Muromachi Shogunate, and became a Zen ​temple after his death. The Shariden Hall, covered in gold leaf, features a ​gorgeous exterior, but originally only the top floor was gold leafed. It was ​destroyed by arson in 1950, and the current building was rebuilt in 1955. A ​phoenix, a symbol of prosperity, shines on the roof. The temple grounds are also ​dotted with sights such as the "Rikushu no Matsu" (Land Ship Pine), which has a ​deep connection to "Ginkakuji," and the "Genkasui" (Golden Water), where people ​make wishes by throwing coins.