5 Photogenic Power Spots of Oita | Recommended Instagrammable Shrines & Temples

Oita Prefecture is not just hot springs! It is a treasury of "photogenic power spots" where the sacred air that has continued since ancient times fuses with breathtakingly beautiful scenery. This time, here are 5 superb-view shrines and temples that will make you want to post them on Instagram.

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(1) Usa Jingu | A Fantastical Space Woven by Vermilion Corridors

The head shrine of the roughly 40,000 Hachiman shrines nationwide. The approach, where the vermilion-lacquered halls and beautiful corridors continue, is just like the world of a historical picture scroll. The soft early-morning light makes the vermilion stand out and produces a mystical atmosphere.

• (Photo) Best time of day: Right after sunrise to 9 a.m.
• (Photo) Shooting angle: Shooting from a low angle toward the depths of the corridor makes the depth and solemnity stand out
• (Train) Access: About 10 minutes by bus from JR Usa Station

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(2) Futagoji | A Mystical Shot of Moss-Covered Stone Steps and Nio Statues

An old temple of the Tendai sect standing quietly in the deep forest of the Kunisaki Peninsula. The two-shot of the moss-covered stone steps continuing along the approach and the powerful, impressive Nio statues is truly a one-of-a-kind shot. After rain, the moss comes alive and the vividness of the green increases—the best timing!

• (Photo) Best time of day / season: After rain in spring to early summer, in the morning
• (Photo) Shooting angle: Capturing the Nio statue and sunlight filtering through the trees together from below the stone steps creates depth
• (Car) Access: About 40 minutes by car from Oita Airport

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(3) Kumano Magaibutsu | A Superb View of Giant Cliff-Carved Buddhas and Steep Stone Steps

A giant cliff-carved Buddha about 8 m tall that appears beyond rough stone steps piled up from natural stones, said by legend to have been stacked by a demon in a single night. The contrast of the dynamic rock surface and the Buddha's calm expression is stunning.

• (Photo) Best time of day / season: Autumn mornings (the co-starring with autumn foliage is the best)
• (Photo) Shooting angle: Capturing the whole cliff-carved Buddha in vertical composition with the stone steps in the foreground conveys the sense of scale
• (Car) Access: About 15 minutes by car from JR Bungo-Toyooka Station

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(4) Monjusenji | The Fantastical Scenery of a Mountain Temple Wrapped in Mist

Standing in the mountains of the Kunisaki Peninsula, one of Japan's Three Great Monju. When the sea of clouds or mist that occurs in the early morning envelops the temple grounds, it is just like a temple floating in the heavens. This fantastical scene is sure to be a big hit on social media too!

• (Photo) Best time of day / season: Early morning in autumn to winter (the period when mist easily occurs)
• (Photo) Shooting angle: A wide composition with the mountain ridgeline and mist in the background from the temple grounds is great
• (Car) Access: About 50 minutes by car from Oita Airport

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(5) Sasamuta Jinja | A Photogenic Approach of a Green Tunnel and Vermilion Torii

A shrine beautiful with an approach wrapped in deep-green trees and a vermilion torii gate, standing quietly in the outskirts of Oita City. The fantastical atmosphere created by the contrast of light and shadow is just like the world of Ghibli. In the fresh-greenery season the light especially pours down softly.

• (Photo) Best time of day / season: Morning in spring to early summer (the time slot when sunlight filters through the trees)
• (Photo) Shooting angle: Standing in the center of the approach and shooting in vertical composition so the torii gates line up creates depth
• (Car) Access: About 30 minutes by car from JR Oita Station

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Oita's power spots are all places that cleanse your heart just by visiting. By all means, camera in hand, feel the sacred air and superb views with your whole body.

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