Kamikura Jinja is a small shrine on the cliff face overlooking the coastal town of Shingû in Wakayama Prefecture. The shrine is known for two things: its steep staircase, and a massive boulder which is said to be where several gods first stepped down on Earth following its creation.

For the casual: 8. For the educated: 2.

Ok, first things first, the stairs are legitimately steep. Basically, you go up. The photo below doesn’t do it complete justice, but for sure it’s quite the climb. That being said, it’s not long and it levels out fairly quickly. If you’re out of shape like me, I recommend bringing a camera so that you have plenty of excuses to stop and catch your breath. If you’re fit, then this should be fairly simple. If for whatever reason you feel you need some help climbing the stairs, there’s a small collection of walking sticks visitors can use, just be sure to put them back when you come down.

The experience ascending and descending the stairs is part of why I wanted to rank this so high for casual visitors, but it’s also because of the view. The shrine itself is hanging on a small outcrop on an otherwise vertical cliff. Therefore, the view of the town and of the sea is just really beautiful. Many visitors take a moment to take it all in at the top which makes this lovely atmosphere of people elated to climb the stairs, but also bewildered by the beauty of the views. So no, this is not a major shrine, but I do recommend people visit when they have the chance.

Built in the city of Shingu on the eastern coast of Wakayama Prefecture, this grand shrine is one of three sibling shrines in the Kumano area. The shrine likely dates back to the 12th century, but records and artifacts show that worship has been taking place in this region of Japan since at least the 3rd century C.E. This shrine is situated near the mouth of the Kumano-gawa, one of the largest rivers which empties fresh water out of the Kii Mountains. Like its associated shrines, Kumano Hayatama Taisha is home to the yatagarasu, the mythical three-legged raven, an icon closely associated with the imperial family. The shrine is one of many stopping points for pilgrims traveling the Kumano Kodo.

For the casual: 6. For the educated: 3.

The big backlash against this shrine is simply its difficult accessability. This shrine, and the associated shrines, are on the far side of Wakayama Prefecture with limited access via public transportation and a long drive almost regardless of where you start. Outside of that, there’s a great deal to enjoy here. Vermillian structures, gold leaf accents, and colorful wood carvings are sure to delight all visitors to the complex. Be sure to pray for good luck at the Nagi-no-Ki, an ancient tree on the grounds estimated to be over 800 years old!