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
Gokaku Shrine
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Sugawara no MichizaneA shrine dedicated to academic success and passing examinations, typically enshrining Sugawara no Mi...
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Gokogu-Jinja shrine
Shiga
nullLocated in the city of Echizen, Shiga Prefecture, Gokogu-Jinja Shrine is a historic Shinto shrine de...
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Gokoku shrine
Fukuoka
HachimanLocated in the heart of Fukuoka, the Gokoku Shrine honors the spirits of Japanese soldiers who have...
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Gokoku Shrine
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Spirits of war dead who died for JapanGokoku shrines are dedicated to the spirits of those who died in service to Japan, particularly in w...
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Gokoku Shrine
Okayama
National Defense, Good FortuneGokoku Shrine, located in Okayama Prefecture, is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the protection of the...
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Gokoku Shrine
Nagasaki
nullGokoku Shrine is a Shinto shrine located in Nagasaki, Japan, dedicated to the protection of the nati...
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Gokoku Shrine
Ibaraki
Shinjuku, Ryūjin, and ShitennōLocated in Ibaraki Prefecture, Gokoku Shrine is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the national deities of...
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Gomejoshi Yatsurugisha Shrine
Gifu
Yamata-no-Orochi and associated deitiesA Shinto shrine in Gifu Prefecture dedicated to deities associated with the legendary eight-headed,...
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Gono Shrine
Kochi
A local Shinto shrine located in Kochi Prefecture that serves the spiritual needs of the surrounding...
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Goō-jinja
Kagawa
GoōLocated in the Kagawa Prefecture, Goō-jinja Shrine is dedicated to the protection and good fortune o...
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Goou Shrine
Shiga
Ooouma-gamiGoou Shrine, located in the town of Katsuyama in Shiga Prefecture, is a Shinto shrine dedicated to t...
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Gorei Shrine
Kanagawa
Five spirit deitiesGorei Shrine is a Shinto shrine in Kanagawa Prefecture dedicated to five spirit deities. The name 'G...
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Gorei Shrine
Kanagawa
Five spirits or deitiesGorei Shrine is a Shinto shrine in Kanagawa Prefecture dedicated to five spirits or deities, as indi...
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Gorei Shrine
Kanagawa
Five spirits or deitiesGorei Shrine is a local Shinto shrine in Kanagawa Prefecture dedicated to five spiritual entities. T...
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Gorei Shrine
Kanagawa
Five protective spiritsGorei Shrine is a local Shinto shrine in Kanagawa Prefecture dedicated to five protective spirits or...
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Gorōhime Jinja
Nagano
nullGorohime Shrine, located in the Japanese prefecture of Nagano, is a Shinto temple dedicated to Gorōh...
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Goromaru Shinmei Shrine
Gifu
Amaterasu OmikamiGoromaru Shinmei Shrine is a local Shinto shrine in Gifu Prefecture dedicated to Amaterasu Omikami,...
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Goryo Jinja Shrine
Kanagawa
GoryoGoryo Jinja Shrine is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the deity of prosperity and good fortune, located...
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Goryo Jinja Shrine
Osaka
Shotoku TenjinGoryo Jinja Shrine, located in Osaka, is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the memory of Prince Shotoku,...
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Goryō Shrine
新宿区, 東京都
GoryōGoryō Shrine is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the kami of fertility, prosperity, and good fortune in...
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Goryo Shrine
Osaka
GoroGoryo Shrine, located in Osaka's Kita-ku, is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the deity Goro, who is bel...
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Goryō Shrine
Kanagawa
Vengeful spirits of nobles who died unjustlyA Goryō shrine dedicated to appeasing the vengeful spirits of nobles and important figures who died...
View shrine →Jump to Shinto shrines across Japan — 108 prefectures in our directory.
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