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
Niigata
HachimanHachiman Jinja, located in Niigata Prefecture, is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the god of war and fe...
View shrine →
Ibaraki
HachimanLocated in the town of Kashima, Ibaraki Prefecture, Hachiman Shrine is a historic Shinto shrine dedi...
View shrine →
Miyagi
HachimanIinokawa Kamegamori Hachiman Shrine is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the deity of war and patron god...
View shrine →
Toyama
HachimanLocated in the city of Namerikawa, Hachimangu八幡宮 is a prominent Shinto shrine dedicated to Hachim...
View shrine →
Toyama
HachimanLocated in the heart of Japan's Edo period, Hachiman Shrine Eight-Horned God Shrine, also known as T...
View shrine →
Kagawa
HachimanLocated in the heart of Kagawa Prefecture, Takami Hachiman Shrine is a revered Shinto site dedicated...
View shrine →
Ishikawa
HachimanLocated in the scenic town of Komatsu, Hitohanehachimangu Shrine is a prominent Hachiman shrine dedi...
View shrine →
Aeba Shrine
—
Hachiman (god of war and culture)Aeba Shrine is a Shinto shrine dedicated to Hachiman, the deity of war, culture, and divine protecti...
View shrine →
Agata Shrine
Gifu
Emperor OjinAgata Shrine is a historic Shinto shrine located in Gifu Prefecture, dedicated to Emperor Ojin (Hond...
View shrine →
Ainoshima Hachiman Shrine
Yamaguchi
Hachiman (Emperor Ojin)A Hachiman shrine located on Ainoshima Island in Shimonoseki, Yamaguchi Prefecture. As a typical Hac...
View shrine →
Aki Shrine
Nara
Emperor OjinAki Shrine is a historic Shinto shrine located in the mountainous Uda region of Nara Prefecture. Kno...
View shrine →
Arata Hachiman-gu Higashi Zuijin
Kagoshima
Hachiman (Emperor Ojin)A Hachiman shrine located in Kagoshima Prefecture, dedicated to the deified Emperor Ojin and associa...
View shrine →
Arata Hachiman-gu Minami Zuishin
Kagoshima
Hachiman (Emperor Ojin)A Hachiman shrine located in Kagoshima Prefecture, dedicated to the deified Emperor Ojin and associa...
View shrine →
Aridoshi Shrine
Wakayama
Emperor OjinAridoshi Shrine is a Hachiman shrine in Wakayama Prefecture dedicated to Emperor Ojin. The shrine is...
View shrine →
Arita Shrine
—
Emperor Ojin and related deitiesArita Shrine is a Shinto shrine dedicated to Hachiman, the deified Emperor Ojin who serves as a patr...
View shrine →
Aso Hachiman Shrine
Yamaguchi
Hachiman (Emperor Ojin)A Hachiman shrine in Yamaguchi Prefecture dedicated to the deified Emperor Ojin and associated deiti...
View shrine →
Asuke Hachiman Shrine
Gifu
Emperor Ojin (Hachiman)A Hachiman shrine located in the historic Asuke district, known for its traditional architecture and...
View shrine →
Chiryu Shrine
—
Emperor Ojin and associated deitiesChiryu Shrine is a historic Shinto shrine located in Chiryu City, Aichi Prefecture, known for its as...
View shrine →
Daiko Hachiman Shrine
Gifu
Hachiman, deity of war and divine protectionA Hachiman shrine in Gifu Prefecture dedicated to the deified Emperor Ojin and associated kami. Hach...
View shrine →
Ejima Wakamiya Hachiman Shrine
—
Hachiman, the divine spirit of Emperor OjinEjima Wakamiya Hachiman Shrine is a local Hachiman shrine dedicated to the deified Emperor Ojin and...
View shrine →
Ena Hachiman Shrine
Wakayama
Hachiman (god of war and divine protection)Ena Hachiman Shrine is a Hachiman shrine located in Wakayama Prefecture dedicated to the deified Emp...
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.