Shrines

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

A colorful and enigmatic cemetery in the middle of nowhere.

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

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

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

A mountaintop shrine named for the road to heaven.

This traditional Japanese shrine is dedicated to four Shinto deities.

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

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