Beyond Tokyo

A shrine that calms the mountain, a shrine that worships it from afar, and a shrine for climbing it: three shrines around Mount Fuji.

• Fujisan Hongu Sengen TaishaThe head shrine of the Sengen shrines, of which more than 1,300 are said to exist across Japan. The main sanctuary, in the two-storey Sengen-zukuri style, was built under Tokugawa Ieyasu.
• Yamamiya Sengen JinjaRegarded as the original shrine of Fujisan Hongu Sengen Taisha. It has no main hall; Mount Fuji itself is worshipped from the worship site.
• Kitaguchi Hongu Fuji Sengen JinjaOn the northern side of Mount Fuji, at the start of the Yoshida climbing route. It grew up as a shrine for climbing the mountain.

The ichinomiya of Shinano Province, and the head shrine of the Suwa shrines across Japan.

• Suwa TaishaFour shrines make one: Honmiya and Maemiya of the Upper Shrine, Harumiya and Akimiya of the Lower. Honmiya, Harumiya and Akimiya have no main sanctuary.

The ichinomiya of Hida Province and the shrine of the autumn Takayama Festival, which divide the town of Takayama between them.

• Minashi JinjaThe ichinomiya of Hida Province. The principal deity is Mitoshi no Okami. The mountain behind, Kuraiyama, is its sacred object.
• Sakurayama HachimanguThe guardian shrine of the northern half of Takayama. At the autumn Takayama Festival (the Hachiman Festival), eleven floats are paraded together.

A head shrine of metalworking, and a god who guards against water: two shrines of Mino.

• Nangu TaishaThe ichinomiya of Mino Province. The enshrined Kanayamahiko Okami is the god of iron ore and mining; metalworkers and blacksmiths come from across the country.
• Inaba JinjaIn 1539, when Saito Dosan made Mount Inaba his stronghold, the shrine was moved to the foot of the mountain. A god who guards against water, in a land surrounded by the Ibi, Nagara and Kiso rivers.

The Jingu that enshrines the sword of the imperial regalia, and the ichinomiya of Owari Province.

• Atsuta JinguIt enshrines Kusanagi, the sacred sword and one of the Three Sacred Treasures. A Myojin Taisha in the Engishiki and a chokusaisha.
• Masumida JinjaThe ichinomiya of Owari Province. The rank of “ichinomiya” became the name of the city itself.

Ise Jingu, which rebuilds its sanctuary every twenty years, and Sarutahiko Jinja, which enshrines the god who opens the way.

• Ise JinguThe Inner and Outer Shrines. Shikinen Sengu, the rebuilding of the sanctuary every twenty years, has continued since the Asuka period.
• Sarutahiko JinjaThe god who opens the way. The Uji-Doko family, said to be his descendants, have been chief priests for generations. Some visit before starting a business, changing jobs or moving house.