Shrines and Temples

At a glance

Although temples and shrines are not tourist facilities, they are in fact tourist hubs. According to a 2017 tourist visitor survey, Naritasan (2nd place) and Katori Shrine (6th place) are in the top 10 in the prefecture. Including other places, the number of visitors to temples and shrines in Chiba Prefecture exceeds 17 million people per year, accounting for about 10% of the total.
Each shrine and temple has a different historical background, and there is a wide variety in the architectural styles, enshrined gods, and Buddhist statues enshrined there, so there are many reasons to visit them and many ways to enjoy them.For example, five buildings at Narita Shinshoji Temple, including the Komyo-do Hall, Shaka-do Hall, Niomon Gate, Three-story Pagoda, and Gaku-do Hall, and two buildings at Katori Shrine, including the main hall and tower gate, have been designated as Important Cultural Properties.
However, shrines and temples are difficult places for wheelchair users to navigate and are not barrier-free.Many shrines and temples are at a higher level than the access roads and have long stairs. Some shrines and temples have detour ramps, but many detours are steep and long, so a strong caregiver is required.The first torii gate also has stairs, and many of the approach paths following them are paved with gravel. Gravel pavement is the most difficult path for wheelchair users to move on.Buildings such as the main shrine are at a higher level than the approach paths, and most are reached by stairs.

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