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
Miyagi
Tsutsukigahara Shrine, dedicated to the sun goddess Amaterasu, is a Shinto shrine located in the cit...
View shrine →
Miyagi
TsurumaruLocated in the heart of Miyagi Prefecture, Haku-black Shrine is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the kam...
View shrine →
Miyagi
Okuninushi no KamiTsushima Island Shrine is a Shinto shrine located on Tsushima Island in the Miyagi Prefecture. Dedic...
View shrine →
Miyagi
MikotoOuta no Kami Shrine, located in the city of Ichinoseki in Miyagi Prefecture, is a Shinto shrine dedi...
View shrine →
Miyagi
SusanooThe Daito-ji Shrine, located in Miyagi Prefecture, is a Shinto temple dedicated to the deity Susanoo...
View shrine →
Miyagi
Located in the town of Minami Sanriku, Ifuku Town's Yumogasa Shrine is dedicated to Yayoi no Okami,...
View shrine →
山形市, 山形県
Mikasa-no-KamiKobushi no Mikasa Shrine, located in Yamagata City, is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the deity Mikasa...
View shrine →
Miyagi
HachimanHakasugi Shrine, located in the Kesennuma district of Miyagi Prefecture, is dedicated to eight deiti...
View shrine →
Miyagi
Susanoo-no-MikotoNatori Shrine, located in the city of Natori, Miyagi Prefecture, is dedicated to the Shinto god Susa...
View shrine →
岩沼市, 宮城県
Located in the city of Ogawa, Miyagi Prefecture, Gold Snake Water Shrine is a Shinto temple dedicate...
View shrine →
Miyagi
YatagarasuVillage Shrine of Eight-Bend Miyagiyama Village is a small Shinto shrine located in Miyagi Prefectur...
View shrine →
Miyagi
Tsuneyoshi OkamiThe Bird Tower Shrine, located in the heart of Miyagi Prefecture, is a tranquil oasis that embodies...
View shrine →
Miyagi
ŌishimaruLocated in the city of Sendai, the Ōishima Shrine is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the kami Ōishimaru...
View shrine →
Miyagi
HachimanAiudan-sha, located in the Miyagi prefecture of Japan's Tohoku region, is a Shinto shrine dedicated...
View shrine →
Miyagi
Susuwatari (the Spider Kami)Heiwa-ji Temple, located in Sendai City, is not the same as Kesennuma's Shiranui Shrine or Matsushim...
View shrine →
Miyagi
SusanooTemple of the Gods, located in the scenic Ishinomaki district of Miyagi Prefecture, is dedicated to...
View shrine →
Miyagi
Hachiman OkamiLocated in the heart of Sendai, the capital city of Miyagi Prefecture, Hachimantai Shrine is dedicat...
View shrine →
Miyagi
RaijinRaijinsha is a Shinto shrine located in Miyagi Prefecture, dedicated to Raijin, the god of thunder a...
View shrine →
Miyagi
HachimanLocated in the city of Sendai, White Beard Shrine is dedicated to Hachiman, the Shinto god of war an...
View shrine →
Miyagi
Kasuga OkamiYatsugatake-yama Shrine, located in the Shiroishi-machi neighborhood of Sendai City in Miyagi Prefec...
View shrine →
Miyagi
Hachiman新田八幡神社, located in the prefecture of Miyagi, is a Shinto shrine dedicated to Hachiman, the god...
View shrine →
Miyagi
HachimanPerched atop a hill overlooking the scenic coastal town of Ishinomaki, Kesennuma Hachiman Shrine is...
View shrine →
Miyagi
Oyashio磯良神社 is a Shinto shrine located in Kesennuma City, Miyagi Prefecture, known for its beautiful ar...
View shrine →
Miyagi
nullFutsu-yoshino-gu Shrine, located in the scenic town of Futsu, Aomori Prefecture, is a lesser-known S...
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.