Some of the most visited places in Japan are Japanese shrines. Ise Shrine (伊勢神宮) is the most important shrine in Japan. It is located in Mie Prefecture (三重県) and is a shrine dedicated to the goddess Amaterasu Omikami (天照大神). Since the goddess is considered an ancestor of the Emperor, the Ise Shrine is viewed as the shrine of the royal family in Japan. Ise Shrine is so sacred that someone from the line of the royal family is required to serve as the head priest.

Kasuga Grand Shrine (春日大社) is located in Nara Prefecture (奈良県) The Kasuga Shrine attracts many visitors for its bronze lanterns. Before visitors enter the Kasuga Shrine, there is a path leading up to the shrine. This path is lined by rows of stone lanterns, which is also something that Kasuga Shrine is famous for. In the past, Kasuga Shrine was a top ranking shrine among the government-supported shrines. Today it is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Usa Shrine (宇佐八幡宮) is located in Oita Prefecture (大分県). This Shrine is considered by some to be second most popular shrine after Ise Shrine. Although the Usa Shrine seems as if it is two separate shrines, it is actually one single shrine that consists of two parallel structures. The structure towards the front is said to be where the kami resides in the daytime. The structure towards the back is reported to be where the kami resides at night.

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