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
Hiyoshi Shrine
Wakayama
Oyamakui-no-kamiHiyoshi Shrine is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the mountain deity Oyamakui-no-kami, part of the broa...
View shrine →
Hiyoshi Shrine
—
Oyamakui-no-kamiHiyoshi Shrine is dedicated to the mountain deity Oyamakui-no-kami and is part of the Hiyoshi shrine...
View shrine →
Hiyoshi Shrine
—
Oyamakui-no-kamiHiyoshi Shrine is dedicated to mountain deities and serves as a local branch of the Hiyoshi Taisha s...
View shrine →
Hiyoshi Shrine
—
Oyamakui-no-kamiHiyoshi shrines are dedicated to the mountain deity Oyamakui-no-kami and are closely associated with...
View shrine →
Hiyoshi Shrine
—
Oyamakui-no-kamiHiyoshi Shrine is a Shinto shrine dedicated to Oyamakui-no-kami, a mountain deity associated with pr...
View shrine →
Hiyoshi Shrine
Gifu
Oyamakui-no-kamiHiyoshi Shrine is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the mountain deity Oyamakui-no-kami, part of the broa...
View shrine →
Hiyoshi Shrine
Gifu
Oyamakui no KamiA local Hiyoshi shrine in Gifu Prefecture, part of the network of shrines associated with the head H...
View shrine →
Hiyoshi Shrine
Gifu
Oyamakui-no-kamiHiyoshi Shrine is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the mountain deity Oyamakui-no-kami, part of the Hiyo...
View shrine →
Hiyoshi Shrine
Gifu
Oyamakui-no-kamiHiyoshi Shrine is dedicated to the mountain deity Oyamakui-no-kami and serves as a branch shrine of...
View shrine →
Hiyoshi Shrine
Kanagawa
Oyamakui-no-kamiHiyoshi Shrine is a Shinto shrine dedicated to Oyamakui-no-kami, a mountain deity associated with pr...
View shrine →
Hiyoshi Shrine
Yamaguchi
Oyamakui-no-kamiHiyoshi Shrine is dedicated to the mountain deity Oyamakui-no-kami and serves as a branch of the pro...
View shrine →
Hiyoshi Shrine
Yamaguchi
Oyamakui-no-kamiA Hiyoshi shrine in Yamaguchi Prefecture dedicated to the protective deities of Mount Hiei. Like oth...
View shrine →
Hiyoshi Shrine
Yamaguchi
Oyamakui-no-kamiHiyoshi Shrine is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the mountain deity Oyamakui-no-kami, part of the broa...
View shrine →
Hiyoshi Shrine
Kumamoto
Oyamakui-no-kamiA Hiyoshi shrine in Kumamoto Prefecture dedicated to the mountain deity Oyamakui-no-kami. Hiyoshi sh...
View shrine →
Hiyoshi Shrine
Kumamoto
Oyamakui-no-kamiHiyoshi Shrine is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the mountain deity Oyamakui-no-kami, part of the Hiyo...
View shrine →
Hiyoshi Shrine
Kochi
Oyamakui no KamiHiyoshi Shrine is a Shinto shrine in Kochi Prefecture dedicated to the mountain deity Oyamakui no Ka...
View shrine →
Ikegami Hiyoshi Shrine
Kumamoto
Oyamakui no KamiA Hiyoshi shrine in Kumamoto Prefecture dedicated to Oyamakui no Kami, the mountain deity. Hiyoshi s...
View shrine →
Yamada Hiyoshi Shrine
Kumamoto
Oyamakui-no-kamiYamada Hiyoshi Shrine is a Shinto shrine in Kumamoto Prefecture dedicated to the mountain deity Oyam...
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.