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
Hatajyo Fudomyo Oku-no-In Shrine
Shizuoka
FudomyoLocated in the city of Katskawa, Shizuoka Prefecture, Hatajyo Fudomyo Oku-no-In is a small shrine de...
View shrine →
Hatanaka Tenmansha Shrine
Oita
Sugawara no MichizaneA local Tenmansha shrine in Oita Prefecture dedicated to Sugawara no Michizane, the deified scholar...
View shrine →
Hatate
Akita
Tamayoura-no-kamiHatate Shrine is a Shinto shrine located in Akita Prefecture, dedicated to the kami of prosperity an...
View shrine →
Hatayama Shrine
Kagoshima
A Shinto shrine located in Kagoshima Prefecture, serving the local community as a place of worship a...
View shrine →
Hatengu Shrine
Gifu
Eight celestial deities including HachimanA shrine dedicated to eight celestial deities, commonly associated with the Hachiman tradition. The...
View shrine →
Hatisaki shrine
Shizuoka
Inari OkamiLocated in the town of Izuhamada, Hatisaki Shrine is a Shinto shrine dedicated to Inari Okami, the k...
View shrine →
Hatogamine Hachimangu
Nagano
HachimanLocated in the Japanese prefecture of Nagano, Hatogamine Hachimangu Shrine is dedicated to the Shint...
View shrine →
Hatogaya hachiman shrine
Toyama
HachimanHatogaya Hachiman Shrine, located in the scenic town of Toyama, is a revered Shinto site dedicated t...
View shrine →
Hatogaya Hikawa-jinja Shrine
川口市, 埼玉県
HatogayaHatogaya Hikawa-jinja Shrine is a Shinto shrine located in Kawaguchi, Saitama Prefecture. Dedicated...
View shrine →
Hatonomori Hachiman Jinja
Chiba
HachimanLocated in the heart of Chiba Prefecture, Hatonomori Hachiman Jinja is a Shinto shrine dedicated to...
View shrine →
Hatsuhiki Inari Shrine
Tochigi
InariLocated in the heart of Tochigi Prefecture, Hatsuhiki Inari Shrine is a Shinto temple dedicated to t...
View shrine →
Hatsumiya Shrine
Nara
A local Shinto shrine in Nara Prefecture dedicated to prayers for children's health and protection....
View shrine →
Hatta Shinmei Shrine
Gifu
Amaterasu OmikamiHatta Shinmei Shrine is a Shinto shrine in Gifu Prefecture dedicated to Amaterasu Omikami, the sun g...
View shrine →
Hattogamine Hachimangu Honden
Nagano
HachimanHattogamine Hachimangu Honden is a Shinto shrine located in the Japanese Alps of Nagano Prefecture,...
View shrine →
Hattori Shrine
Shiga
Hattori no OkamiLocated in the town of Katsuyama, Shiga Prefecture, Hattori Shrine is a historic Shinto temple dedic...
View shrine →
Hattori Tenmangu Shrine
—
Sugawara no MichizaneHattori Tenmangu is a Shinto shrine dedicated to Sugawara no Michizane, the deified scholar and poet...
View shrine →
Hayakita Shrine
Hokkaido
Located in the scenic town of Aomori City, Hokkaido's northernmost prefecture, Hayakita Shrine is a...
View shrine →
Hayama-jinja Shrine
Yamagata
Hayama-jinja Shrine, located in the scenic Yamagata Prefecture, is a serene Shinto temple dedicated...
View shrine →
Hayamayama Shrine
Fukushima
Hondawake no Mikoto (Emperor Ojin)A historic Hachiman shrine located in Fukushima Prefecture, dedicated to the deified Emperor Ojin. T...
View shrine →
Hayamayama Shrine
Fukushima
Hondawake no Mikoto (Emperor Ojin)Hayamayama Shrine is a prominent Hachiman shrine located on Mount Hayama in Koriyama, Fukushima Pref...
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.