Top 10 Shrines and Temples for Warding Off Misfortune (Yakuyoke) and Purification

The head temple of the Shingon Risshu school. Known nationwide as "Kobo Daishi Who Ward Off Misfortune," it consistently ranks among the top shrines and temples for New Year's first visits (hatsumode) in terms of visitor numbers. It is said to have been founded in the late Heian period when Heian Kanesuke enshrined a statue of Kobo Daishi that had washed ashore. The tradition of prayers to ward off misfortune dates back to the Edo period, and pilgrims continue to seek protective prayer cards (gomofuda) to this day.

One of the "Three Great Masters of Kanto for Warding Off Misfortune." In 826 CE, Kobo Daishi stopped here during his missionary work in the eastern provinces. Legend has it that he purified the main deity with water from a well he dug himself to save people from disaster, and the disaster disappeared, leading to the name "Daishi Who Ward Off Misfortune." It is a temple of the Shingon Toyen school, and its main deity is the Eleven-Faced Avalokiteshvara (Jūichimen Kannon Bosatsu).

One of the "Three Great Masters of Kanto for Warding Off Misfortune," it is also familiar to many from New Year's TV commercials. Founded in 944 CE by Fujiwara no Hidesato, this famous Tendai school temple enshrines Gen San Daishi (Raiyu) as its main deity. It is famous for prayers to ward off misfortune and directional misfortune, attracting pilgrims from all over Japan during the New Year period. Pilgrimage trips combining a visit here with eating Sano ramen are also popular.

This is the only shrine in Japan that performs "protection in all eight directions" (happou-yoke), warding off disasters coming from any direction. As the Ichinomiya (chief shrine) of Sagami Province, this ancient shrine has been revered since before the Heian period and enshrines Samukawa Daimyojin. It is particularly known for the strong faith of those in the construction industry and people moving house, who seek prayers for house orientation, land conditions, and directional fortune.

A Shingon Toyen school temple said to have been founded in the Heian period. Its main deity is the Holy Avalokiteshvara (Sei Kannon Bosatsu), and it is an ancient temple that some consider to be one of the "Three Great Masters of Kanto for Warding Off Misfortune." It has over a thousand years of history as the center of Daishi faith and misfortune-warding faith in the Katori region. It is also known as the burial site of Ino Tadaaki.

One of the head shrines of Hachimangu shrines, enshrined from Usa Jingu to guard the southwest "back demon gate" (ura-kimon) of Heian-kyo. It enshrines the Hachiman deity (Emperor Ōjin) and has been widely revered by the imperial court, samurai, and commoners as a deity for national protection, warding off misfortune, and prayers for victory. The main hall on the mountain is a National Treasure, and visitors can reach it via a cable car.

Affectionately known as "Gion-san," this is the head shrine of all Yasaka Shrines and Gion Shrines nationwide. It enshrines Susanoo-no-Mikoto (Gozu Tenno) and was founded in the Heian period to quell epidemics that plagued the capital. The "Gion Matsuri," one of Japan's Three Great Festivals, originated as a festival to ward off disasters and epidemics. Open for worship 24 hours a day, it is a symbol of tourism in Kyoto.

Counted as one of "Japan's Three Great Yakushin Deities," this ancient temple is said to have been founded by Kobo Daishi in 829 CE by imperial decree of Emperor Saga. It enshrines Yakushin Meio (a combined form of Fudo Myoo and Aizen Myoo), who is believed to crush all disasters and misfortunes. It is a top spot for warding off misfortune in the Hanshin area, attracting pilgrims from all over Kansai, especially during years of misfortune and major misfortune.

This temple has a history of Kobo Daishi carving an image of Kannon directly into a standing tree. The approximately 800 stone steps leading to the main hall are famous as the "steps for warding off misfortune." The traditional worship practice is to climb them one step at a time, chanting for each year of one's age. This practice of shedding misfortune is particularly beloved in the Kansai region.

The head shrine of all Mishima Shrines, Oyashima Shrines, and Oyamatsumi Shrines nationwide. Holding the title "Chief Shrine of Japan," it enshrines Oyamatsumi Okami. This ancient shrine has been revered by samurai across the country as a deity of mountains and war, and it houses weapons donated by many warriors, including Minamoto no Yoritomo and Yoshitsune. It is a sacred site for warding off disasters and prayers for victory.