182 Items Tagged

Shrines

Mahō Jinja (Magical Shrine)

Mahō Jinja (Magical Shrine)

This unusual "magical shrine" honors a legendary raccoon-dog god that stowed away to Japan from some far-off land.

Yokohama, Japan

Ganki Inari

A narrow, dead-end alley hides with a small fox shrine and the untold history of Yokohama's historic red-light district.

Toowong, Australia

Temple of Peace

A most unusual war memorial, erected by some most unusual people, made of concrete and stained glass, and apparently honouring five people and a dog.

Namazu-San, the Lucky Catfish

Namazu-San, the Lucky Catfish

Thanks to wordplay, the earthquake-causing catfish monster has become a god of confidence at this shrine.

Seoul, South Korea

Hwangudan

The site where the Emperor of Korea performed the long-forbidden "rite of heaven" to demonstrate his absolute sovereignty.

Takagi Shrine

Takagi Shrine

Rice balls symbolize fate and relationship at this adorable shrine, which was once dedicated to the Buddhist Devil.

The Modak and The Mount Street Lamps

Artistic streetlamps depicting Lord Ganesh’s favourite food and divine mount around an iconic temple of the deity in the heart of Pune.

Honeybee Drinking Fountain at Hitokotonushi Shrine

Every summer, this shrine sets up a tiny drinking fountain reserved for thirsty apians.

New Orleans, Lousiana

Father Seelos Center

This site is dedicated to a candidate for sainthood and contains personal items including his cilice and lead coffin.

Farmer, South Dakota

St. Peter's Rock Grotto

One dedicated priest constructed this beautiful stone grotto by hand from 1926-1933.

Qobustan, Azerbaijan

Sofi Hamid

A colorful and enigmatic cemetery in the middle of nowhere.

Karachi, Pakistan

Pir Mangho

A shrine in Karachi is home to around 100 crocodiles that are regarded as sacred.

Hōdō Inari Shrine

A lonely chimpanzee lures you into a narrow alley leading to this hidden shrine.

Takao Inari Shrine

A unique shrine dedicated to the deified skull of a 17th-century Tokyo courtesan.

Monterrey, Mexico

Santuario de Schoenstatt 'Maria, Camino al Cielo'

A mountaintop shrine named for the road to heaven.

Yohashira-jinja Shrine

Matsumoto, Japan

Yohashira-jinja Shrine

This traditional Japanese shrine is dedicated to four Shinto deities.

Nawate Dori

Matsumoto, Japan

Nawate Dori

This small Japanese street is lined with figures, sculptures and a shrine dedicated to frogs.

Eye-Eating Demon of Inari Kio

Only recently added to the shrine, this googly-eyed snail demon of unknown origin is said to have eye-healing powers.