Sacred Japan: Izumo Taisha, Itsukushima Shrine, and Nikkō Tōshō-gū

In November 2025, I traveled through Japan — a country where neon cities stand beside forests older than memory, and where the sacred is woven into the land itself. On this journey I visited three extraordinary sites that reveal the breadth of Japan’s spiritual imagination.

Izumo Taisha — Where the Gods Gather

On the western coast of Shimane stands Izumo Taisha, one of Japan’s oldest shrines and the home of Ōkuninushi, deity of creation and harmonious relationships. Tradition says that every tenth lunar month, all the gods of Japan assemble here — making Izumo the “land where the gods are present.”Beneath its massive shimenawa rope and ancient cypress beams, Izumo feels grounded, gentle, and profoundly connected to nature. Even its four claps for prayer reflect a devotion not only for oneself, but for one’s community.

Itsukushima Shrine — A Sanctuary on the Sea

South in Hiroshima Prefecture rises the great floating torii of Itsukushima, a shrine dedicated to three protective kami connected to the sea and navigation. Built on stilts above the water, Itsukushima moves with the tide — a sanctuary shaped by wind, waves, and shifting light.At high tide the shrine becomes a floating stage; at low tide, visitors walk across the sand to touch the torii itself. Deer roam freely, reminding visitors of the gentle closeness between nature and the divine.

Nikkō Tōshō-gū — Majesty in the Mountains

In the forests of Nikkō stands Tōshō-gū, a brilliant 17th-century shrine honoring Tokugawa Ieyasu. Gold leaf, carved animals, and vivid colors create a world of symbolic beauty — from the Three Wise Monkeys to the Sleeping Cat.But the heart of the pilgrimage lies in the 207 steps leading to Ieyasu’s quiet mausoleum. As I climbed through cedar forests, ornate splendor gave way to silence. At the top, the simplicity of stone lanterns and filtered light offered a reminder that even great power returns to the earth.

Earth, Sea, Mountain

These three shrines — Izumo of the earth, Itsukushima of the sea, and Nikkō of the mountain — form a spiritual map of Japan. Each reveals a different way the sacred lives within nature, and each invites visitors into deeper attentiveness and humility.

My journey through Japan showed me a spirituality not separated from the world, but rooted in it — walked, sailed, climbed, and breathed.