Miko Shrine Maidens

巫女

Miko are Shinto Shrine Maidens and were originally female shamans in the depths of Japanese history, able to communicate with the shrine deity or kami. Nowadays they are more likely college students or the daughter of the shrine's priest working part-time helping out in festivals and shrine rituals.

Normally dressed in red hakama (trousers) and a white haori (jacket), miko assist ceremonies and participate in sacred dances in shrines of all sizes throughout Japan. Small shrines may have only one miko, while larger shrines such as Heian Shrine in Kyoto may employ dozens.

Miko characters are also popular in anime and manga.

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Map of Kyoto Shrines & Temples

神社とお寺

Use this scrollable map of Kyoto to navigate to some of Kyoto's over 2,000 Buddhist temples and Shinto shrines.

Find information on Ota Shrine famous for its irises in May, Hiko Shrine in Yawata, a quirky shine dedicated to flight, Go'o Shrine close to the Imperial Palace (Gosho) and Yoshida Shrine near Kyoto University known for its lively setsubun festival.

View Kyoto Temples & Shrines Map in a larger map

Temples covered on the map include Shisendo in Higashiyama, Ginkakuji and Kinkakuji and the less well-known Enkoji Temple.


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Sakaki Jinja

第六天榊神社

Enjoy a visit to Sakaki Shrine in Taito-ku in Tokyo. Our guide explains some of the features you will experience on a visit to any Shinto shrine.

These include the torii or shrine gate, stone lanterns known as toro, sando, the shrine path way, temisuya or chozuya, a water basin for purification, komainu, lion-dog guardians, ema, votive plaques and inari, foxes.

The honden is the main building where the shrine's kami (gods) live. The haiden is where worshippers to the shrine pray.




Sakaki Shrine
Taito-ku
Kuramae 1-4-3
Tokyo

The nearest stations are JR Asakusabashi Station and Kuramae Station on the Toei Asakusa Line.


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Usa Shrine Kunisaki

宇佐八幡宮

The original Usa-jinja (Tel: 0978 37 0001) in Usa in the Kunisaki Peninsula on Kyushu dates back over 1,000 years to 725 and the shrine is dedicated to Hachiman - the god of war and warriors.

The shrine is the oldest Hachiman shrine in Japan and ranks as one of the most important Shinto shrines in the country, up there with Ise Jingu and Atsuta Shrine in Nagoya.

Hachiman is the deified Emperor Ojin, a legendary Emperor of Japan. Hachiman shrines have now spread throughout Japan from this first shrine in Kyushu. The present shrine buildings date from the mid-nineteenth century.

Usa Shrine has attracted imperial support over its long history and there are now over 40,000 branches shrines of Hachiman all over Japan.

The annual Usa shrine festival is held on March 18.

Usa Jingu

Oita
Usa
Oji, Minami-usa 2859
872-0102
Tel: 0978 37 0001

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