대쇼인

Plan on 1.5 to 3 hours here, and wear shoes you can actually walk in. The grounds climb a hillside through multiple staircases, so comfort matters more than style.

Two underground experiences stand out. In the Henjokutsu cave hall, the Osunafumi ritual lets you step on sand gathered from all 88 temples of the Shikoku pilgrimage, earning the same spiritual merit as walking the full route. The same area holds the Kaidan Meguri, a pitch-black corridor where you move through complete darkness, no light at all, as a way to purify sins and test your resolve. Both are worth the time.