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
Afuchi Shrine
阿智村, 長野県
InariAfuchi Shrine, located in the mountains of Nagano Prefecture, is dedicated to the Shinto god Inari O...
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Afuri Shrine
Kanagawa
Oyamatsumi-no-MikotoAfuri Shrine is a prominent Shinto shrine located on Mount Oyama in Kanagawa Prefecture, known for i...
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Afuri Shrine Front Shrine
Kanagawa
Oyamatsumi-no-kamiAfuri Shrine Front Shrine is the lower worship hall of the historic Afuri Shrine complex located on...
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Afuri Shrine Inner Shrine
Kanagawa
Oyamatsumi-no-kamiThe inner shrine of Afuri Shrine located on the summit of Mount Oyama in Kanagawa Prefecture. This s...
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Afuriten Shrine
Gunma
AfuretenokamiAfuriten Shrine is a Shinto shrine located in the city of Kumagaya, Gunma Prefecture. The shrine is...
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Agata Shrine
Gifu
Emperor OjinAgata Shrine is a historic Shinto shrine located in Gifu Prefecture, dedicated to Emperor Ojin (Hond...
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Agata Shrine
Shiga
OkuninushiLocated in the city of Nagahama, Agata Shrine is a Shinto shrine dedicated to Okuninushi, the god of...
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Aiga Atago Shrine
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Atago Gongen (fire prevention deity)A local Atago shrine dedicated to fire prevention and protection. Atago shrines are found throughout...
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Aihama Shrine
館山市, 千葉県
Susanoo-no-MikotoAihama Shrine, located in the city of Matsuyama, Ehime Prefecture, is a Shinto shrine dedicated to t...
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Aiki-jinja
Ibaraki
nullLocated in the city of Mito, Ibaraki Prefecture, Aiki-jinja Shrine is a historic Shinto shrine dedic...
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Aimotosha
Nagano
Inari OkamiLocated in the Japanese prefecture of Nagano, Aimotosha Shrine is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the k...
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Ainoshima Hachiman Shrine
Yamaguchi
Hachiman (Emperor Ojin)A Hachiman shrine located on Ainoshima Island in Shimonoseki, Yamaguchi Prefecture. As a typical Hac...
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Aioi Shrine
Kochi
Local protective deitiesAioi Shrine is a local Shinto shrine located in Kochi Prefecture. The name 'Aioi' means 'growing tog...
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Aira Shrine
Kagoshima
A Shinto shrine located in Aira, Kagoshima Prefecture, serving as an important local spiritual cente...
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Ajakane Shrine
Fukushima
Ajakane no MikotoA Shinto shrine located in Fukushima Prefecture, dedicated to Ajakane no Mikoto, a deity associated...
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Ajika Shrine
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Local protective deitiesAjika Shrine is a Shinto shrine located in Iga, Mie Prefecture, known for its connection to local ka...
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Akabane Hachiman Shrine
Ibaraki
HachimanAkabane Hachiman Shrine is a Shinto shrine located in the town of Minami, Ibaraki Prefecture. Dedica...
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Akabe Inari Shrine
Kanagawa
Inari OkamiAkabe Inari Shrine is a local Inari shrine in Kanagawa Prefecture dedicated to the rice and prosperi...
View shrine →Jump to Shinto shrines across Japan — 108 prefectures in our directory.
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