12 Beautiful Shinto Shrines That Will Knock Your Socks Off

Shintō is Japan's native religion. The practice centers around the worship of kami, which are honored at shrines throughout the island chain. These are some of the most fantastic shrines that you can find.

1. Ise Grand Shrine (伊勢神宮)

Via Flickr: ajari

Ise, Mie Prefecture

2. Fushimi Inari Taisha (伏見稲荷大社)

Via en.wikipedia.org

Kyoto, Kyoto Prefecture

3. Meiji Jingu (明治神宮)

Via Flickr: 8660784@N02

Shibuya, Tokyo Prefecture

4. Itsukushima Shrine (厳島神社)

Via atlasjapan.blogspot.com

Miyajima, Hiroshima Prefecture

5. Nishinomiya Jinja (西宮神社)

Via Flickr: marisoleta

Nishinomiya, Hyōgo Prefecture

6. Oyama Jinja (雄山神社)

Via Flickr: mandrills

Tateyama, Toyama Prefecture

7. Akiba Shrine (秋葉神社)

Via panoramio.com

Shirakawa-go, Gifu Prefecture

8. Izumo Grand Shrine (出雲大社)

Via en.wikipedia.org

Izumo, Shimane Prefecture

9. Isaniwa Jinja (伊佐爾波神社)

Via en.wikipedia.org

Matsuyama, Ehime Prefecture

10. Kasuga Grand Shrine (春日大社)

Via likestormbutwithau.blogspot.com

Nara, Nara Prefecture

11. Shirayama Hime Shrine (白山比咩神社)

Via Flickr: poplinre

Hakusan City, Ishikawa Prefecture

12. Miyajidake Shrine (宮地嶽神社)

Via en.wikipedia.org

Fukutsu, Fukuoka Prefecture