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
Chōan Temple
箱根町, 神奈川県
AmabieLocated in the scenic town of Hakone-cho, Kanagawa Prefecture, Chóan Temple is a unique blend of Shi...
View shrine →Chokake Shrine Otabisho
Hiroshima
An otabisho (temporary resting place) associated with Chokake Shrine, serving as a ceremonial statio...
View shrine →Chosa Inari Shrine
Kagoshima
Inari OkamiChosa Inari Shrine is a local Inari shrine located in Kagoshima Prefecture, dedicated to the Shinto...
View shrine →Chubu Akiba Shrine
Gifu
Homusubi no MikotoA local Akiba shrine in Gifu Prefecture dedicated to fire prevention and protection. Like other Akib...
View shrine →Chukonsha Shrine
Gifu
Spirits of war deadChukonsha is a memorial shrine dedicated to honoring the spirits of those who died in service to Jap...
View shrine →Dai Roku Ten Shrine
Tokyo
Dai Roku Ten Shrine, located in Tokyo, is one of the few Shinto shrines dedicated to the sixth heave...
View shrine →Daiba Shrine
Shizuoka
RyujinLocated in the city of Kakegawa, Shizuoka Prefecture, Daiba Shrine is a revered Shinto temple that h...
View shrine →Daiinari Shrine
小田原市, 神奈川県
Inari OkamiDaiinari Shrine is a Shinto shrine located in Odawara, Kanagawa Prefecture, and is one of the most f...
View shrine →Daijingu Shrine
Kumamoto
Amaterasu OmikamiA Shinto shrine in Kumamoto Prefecture dedicated to Amaterasu Omikami, the sun goddess and supreme d...
View shrine →Daijingu Shrine
Kumamoto
Amaterasu OmikamiA local shrine in Kumamoto Prefecture dedicated to Amaterasu Omikami, the sun goddess and principal...
View shrine →Daijingu Shrine
Kochi
Amaterasu OmikamiDaijingu is a local shrine in Kochi Prefecture dedicated to Amaterasu Omikami, the sun goddess and s...
View shrine →Daijingu Shrine
Kanagawa
Amaterasu OmikamiA local shrine dedicated to Amaterasu Omikami, the sun goddess and supreme deity of the Shinto panth...
View shrine →Daijingu Shrine
Kanagawa
Amaterasu OmikamiA local shrine dedicated to Amaterasu Omikami, the sun goddess and supreme deity of the Shinto panth...
View shrine →Daijingu Shrine
Kanagawa
Amaterasu OmikamiDaijingu is a local shrine dedicated to Amaterasu Omikami, the sun goddess and principal deity of Sh...
View shrine →Daikinrin Shrine
Gifu
Kongokai Dainichi NyoraiA shrine incorporating Buddhist elements, dedicated to Kongokai Dainichi Nyorai, representing the di...
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 →Daikoku
Nagano
Daikoku TenjinDaikoku Shrine, located in the heart of Nagano Prefecture, is a sacred site dedicated to the Shinto...
View shrine →Daikoku Ebisu Shrine
Gifu
Daikokuten and EbisuA shrine dedicated to the dual worship of Daikokuten and Ebisu, two of Japan's most beloved deities...
View shrine →Daikoku Inari Daimyojin
Chiba
InariDaikoku Inari Daimyojin Shrine is a Shinto temple located in the town of Katori, Chiba Prefecture. D...
View shrine →Daikoku Shrine
—
Daikokuten (Okuninushi-no-Mikoto)A Shinto shrine dedicated to Daikokuten, one of the Seven Lucky Gods (Shichifukujin) in Japanese Bud...
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.