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
苫小牧市, 北海道
nullLocated in Sapporo, northern Japan, Tsukagani Okanotsu Shrine is a Shinto temple dedicated to the de...
View shrine →雨竜町, 北海道
Rain Dragon GodLocated in the scenic town of Ryutongun, Hokkaido's northernmost city, Ryutongun Shrine is a tranqui...
View shrine →札幌市, 北海道
ŌkuninushiThe Sapporo Toya Shrine, located in Hokkaido, is one of the oldest shrines in northern Japan. Dedica...
View shrine →新冠町, 北海道
nullLocated in the picturesque town of New Chitose, Hokkaido, Tsukigahara Shrine is dedicated to the Shi...
View shrine →新冠町, 北海道
AmaterasuLocated in New Crown Town, northern Hokkaido, Taisho-gu Shrine is dedicated to the Sun Goddess Amate...
View shrine →今金町, 北海道
Located in the city of Asahikawa, Hokkaido's largest city, day-to-day progress is often associated w...
View shrine →浦河町, 北海道
KamiLocated in the picturesque town of Ōtaru, Hokkaido's second-largest city, East Aurora Shrine has bee...
View shrine →浦河町, 北海道
Hamabari Fugukinutokurahi-ji, located in the city of Urara-machi, Hokkaido, is a Shinto shrine dedic...
View shrine →新ひだか町, 北海道
Tobiuso no KamiKaito-ji Shrine is a Shinto shrine located in Hidaka Town, Hokkaido, Japan. Dedicated to the god of...
View shrine →日高町, 北海道
Inari門別稲荷神社 is a Shinto shrine located in Dayoh Town, Hiyama Subprefecture, Hokkaido. The shrine's...
View shrine →日高町, 北海道
EbisuLocated in the city of Notsu, Hokkaido, the Great Eight-Fold Shrine is a Shinto shrine dedicated to...
View shrine →浦河町, 北海道
Inari Okami, Kushi no KamiLocated in the picturesque town of Ōtaru, Hokkaido's northernmost city, Ichi-Han Tai Shrine is a Shi...
View shrine →占冠村, 北海道
Tamamushi, EboshiTomamu Shrine, located in the heart of Okushari Village on Hokkaido's northern tip, is a sacred site...
View shrine →増毛町, 北海道
EbisuLocated in the city of Etsuo-cho, Otaru District, Hokkaido, Ebisu Shrine is a Shinto shrine dedicate...
View shrine →新冠町, 北海道
null芽呂神社 is a Shinto shrine located in the Ishikari Plateau of northern Japan, known for its scenic...
View shrine →新ひだか町, 北海道
null靜內神社 is a Shinto shrine located in新ひだか町, Hokkaido, Japan. Dedicated to the kami of stillnes...
View shrine →新ひだか町, 北海道
Located in New Hidaka Town, Hokkaido, Eitetsu Jinsha is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the kami of the...
View shrine →新ひだか町, 北海道
Susanoo-no-MikotoWest Usona Shrine, located in New Hidaka Town, northern Japan, is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the s...
View shrine →新ひだか町, 北海道
HiyatsuruKoshigaya Shrine, located in New Hidaka Town, Hokkaido, is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the deity of...
View shrine →新ひだか町, 北海道
TsukuyomiThe 駒舞稲荷神社, located in 新ひだか町, Hokkaido, is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the kami of dance...
View shrine →日高町, 北海道
Shinto shrine located in the heart of Dayuh town in northern Japan, believed to be the main shrine d...
View shrine →日高町, 北海道
HoriyukihiroLocated in Dayushuon, Sakhalin Prefecture's neighboring Hokkaido island, the Horiyukihiro Shrine hon...
View shrine →平取町, 北海道
nullLocated in the picturesque town of Tomakomai, Hokkaido's northernmost city, Tomakomi Shrine, also kn...
View shrine →音更町, 北海道
Ranbetsu-tsumiLocated in the picturesque town of Ōnarō, Higashi-Circle Island, Hokkaido's northernmost tip, Ranbet...
View shrine →Jump to Shinto shrines across Japan — 108 prefectures in our directory.
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