In Japan, a shrine (jinja, 神社) is a place of worship in Shinto, the indigenous religion that honours kami (神) — sacred spirits tied to nature, ancestors, heroes, and remarkable places. Unlike a church or temple built mainly for sermons, a shrine is a living threshold between everyday life and the sacred: a grove, a gate, a hall, and open ground where people pause, bow, and leave offerings.
Shrines appear throughout daily life in Japan. Neighbours visit a local ujigami shrine for protection; students pray for exams at a Tenjin shrine; merchants favour Inari shrines; families buy omamori charms and draw omikuji fortune slips; and at New Year millions attend hatsumōde (初詣), the first shrine visit of the year. Festivals (matsuri), weddings, and seasonal rituals still centre on shrine communities, even when faith is quiet or personal.
Many shrine grounds also overlap with the world of folklore on this site. Fox messengers at Inari shrines connect to kitsune legends; thunder kami echo Raijin; boundary stones and sacred trees often appear in yōkai tales. Understanding shrines helps place those creatures in their real cultural setting — not only as story monsters, but as beings once approached with respect at the altar.
Search by name, prefecture, city, or shrine type below. Each listing notes enshrined kami, location, and a short description where available. Open a shrine page for maps, visitor notes, and links to official sites when we have them.
30,440 shrines found
Asama Shrine
Yamanashi
Konohanasakuya-himeAsama Shrine is a Shinto shrine dedicated to Konohanasakuya-hime, the goddess of Mount Fuji and volc...
View shrine →
Asama Shrine
—
Konohanasakuya-himeAsama Shrines are dedicated to the worship of Mount Fuji and protection from volcanic eruptions. The...
View shrine →
Asama Shrine
—
Konohanasakuya-himeAsama Shrine is dedicated to Konohanasakuya-hime, the Shinto deity of Mount Fuji and volcanoes. Thes...
View shrine →
Asama Shrine
—
Konohanasakuya-himeAsama shrines are dedicated to the worship of Mount Fuji and its protective deities. These shrines s...
View shrine →
Asama Shrine
—
Konohanasakuya-himeAsama Shrine is dedicated to the worship of Mount Fuji and volcanic deities. These shrines are found...
View shrine →
Asama Shrine
Gifu
Konohanasakuya-himeAn Asama shrine dedicated to Konohanasakuya-hime, the goddess of Mount Fuji and volcanic mountains....
View shrine →
Asama Shrine
Gifu
Konohanasakuya-himeAsama Shrine is a Shinto shrine dedicated to Konohanasakuya-hime, the goddess of Mount Fuji and volc...
View shrine →
Asama Shrine
Gifu
Konohanasakuya-himeAsama Shrine is a Shinto shrine dedicated to Konohanasakuya-hime, the goddess of Mount Fuji and cher...
View shrine →
Asama Shrine
Gifu
Konohanasakuya-himeAsama Shrine is dedicated to Konohanasakuya-hime, the Shinto deity of Mount Fuji and volcanoes. As p...
View shrine →
Asama Shrine
Kanagawa
Konohanasakuya-himeAsama Shrine is dedicated to Konohanasakuya-hime, the Shinto goddess of Mount Fuji, cherry blossoms,...
View shrine →
Asama Shrine
Kumamoto
Konohanasakuya-himeAsama Shrine is dedicated to Konohanasakuya-hime, the Shinto deity of Mount Fuji, volcanoes, and che...
View shrine →
Asama Shrine
Kanagawa
Konohanasakuya-himeAsama Shrine is dedicated to Konohanasakuya-hime, the Shinto deity of Mount Fuji and protector again...
View shrine →
Asama Shrine
Kanagawa
Konohanasakuya-himeAsama Shrine is dedicated to Konohanasakuya-hime, the goddess of Mount Fuji and cherry blossoms. Asa...
View shrine →
Asama Shrine
Kanagawa
Konohanasakuya-himeAsama Shrine is dedicated to Konohanasakuya-hime, the Shinto deity associated with Mount Fuji and vo...
View shrine →
Asama Shrine
Kanagawa
Konohanasakuya-himeAsama Shrine is dedicated to Konohanasakuya-hime, the Shinto deity of Mount Fuji and volcanic activi...
View shrine →
Asama Shrine
Kanagawa
Konohanasakuya-himeAsama Shrine is dedicated to Konohanasakuya-hime, the Shinto goddess of Mount Fuji and volcanoes. As...
View shrine →
Asama Shrine
Kanagawa
Konohanasakuya-himeAsama Shrine is dedicated to Konohanasakuya-hime, the Shinto deity of Mount Fuji and volcanic activi...
View shrine →
Mori Asama Shrine Lower Shrine
Kanagawa
Konohanasakuya-himeThe lower shrine of Mori Asama Shrine, located on Mount Kasara in Kanagawa Prefecture. As part of th...
View shrine →Jump to Shinto shrines across Japan — 108 prefectures in our directory.
Ancient joinery techniques of Japanese master craftsmen
Directory of Japanese board games and traditional games
Japanese coffee culture — kissaten, third wave and brewing guides
Explore Japan's landmarks, shrines and hidden locations
SNES and Super Famicom collection tracker
Hoshi no Isan — a Japanese-aesthetic space RPG in development
Pixel art life sim MMO — start at zero, build your life
AI-powered educational stories for kids
Japanese-aesthetic design tokens & AI-ready UI prompts
Every day, one teaching. One moment of stillness.
Kanji, meaning, and a quiet reflection — rooted in the philosophy
behind Japan's forests, seasons, and sacred silences.
Content Warning: This website explores Japanese folklore and mythological beings—including yokai, oni, and other supernatural entities—that may be frightening to younger audiences or sensitive viewers. All material is presented for educational and cultural appreciation only. Viewer discretion is advised.
Parents and guardians are encouraged to preview content before sharing it with children. By continuing to use JapaneseMythicalCreatures.com, you acknowledge and accept this advisory.
Copyright © 2026 Japanese Mythical Creatures • All Rights Reserved.