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
Hie-jinja Shrine
Ibaraki
Inari OkamiLocated in the town of Daigo, Ibaraki Prefecture, Hie-jinja Shrine is one of Japan's oldest and most...
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Hieda-jinja Shrine
大田区, 東京都
Inari OkamiLocated in the heart of Tokyo's Hieda neighborhood, Hieda-jinja Shrine is a historic Shinto temple d...
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Hietano Kamuyashiro Shrine
Kyoto
Karahagane-sanLocated in the rural area of Kyoto Prefecture, Hietano Kamuyashiro Shrine is a Shinto shrine dedicat...
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Higashi Kirishima Shrine
Miyazaki
Igisu no MikotoHigashi Kirishima Shrine is a historic Shinto shrine located on the slopes of Mount Kirishima in Miy...
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Higashi-Oshima Shrine
Chiba
RyujinHigashi-Oshima Shrine is a Shinto shrine located on the island of Higashi-Oshima in Chiba Prefecture...
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Higashi-Tomioka Hachiman Shrine
Kanagawa
Hachiman, god of war and divine protectionHigashi-Tomioka Hachiman Shrine is a Hachiman shrine located in Kanagawa Prefecture dedicated to the...
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Higashida Ontake Shrine
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Ontake OkamiA local Ontake shrine dedicated to the mountain deity worship tradition, part of the broader Ontake...
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Higashida Shinmei Shrine
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Amaterasu OmikamiHigashida Shinmei Shrine is a Shinto shrine dedicated to Amaterasu Omikami, the sun goddess and supr...
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Higashiguchi Hongu Fuji Sengen Shrine
Yamanashi
Fujin, Raijin, FujisanLocated in the heart of Mt. Fuji's sacred precincts, Higashiguchi Hongu Fuji Sengen Shrine is one of...
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Higashihama Emisu Shrine
Kagawa
EmisuLocated in the coastal town of Higashihama in Kagawa Prefecture, Higashihama Emisu Shrine is a Shint...
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Higashikusano Shrine
Niigata
KushihimeLocated in the heart of Niigata Prefecture, Higashikusano Shrine is a serene Shinto sanctuary dedica...
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Higashimachi Akiba Shrine
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Akiba Daigongen (fire prevention deity)A local Akiba shrine dedicated to fire prevention and safety, serving the Higashimachi district comm...
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Higashimokoto Shrine
Hokkaido
Located in the heart of Sapporo, Higashimokoto Shrine is a prominent Shinto site dedicated to the wo...
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Higashimurayama Yasaka Shrine
Saitama
TsuchikamabishiHigashimurayama Yasaka Shrine is a Shinto shrine located in the town of Seibu, Saitama Prefecture, J...
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Higashinaka-cho Akiba Shrine
Gifu
Kagutsuchi-no-MikotoA local Akiba shrine in Higashinaka-cho dedicated to fire prevention and protection. Like other Akib...
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Higashitokida Shrine
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Toyouke-no-OmikamiHigashitokida Shrine is one of the auxiliary shrines associated with Ise Grand Shrine, serving as a...
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Higashiyama Jinja Shrine
Ishikawa
TamayamanoOkamiLocated in the heart of Kanazawa, Higashiyama Jinja Shrine is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the kami...
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Higuchi Shrine
Nara
A local Shinto shrine in Nara Prefecture that serves the spiritual needs of the surrounding communit...
View shrine →Jump to Shinto shrines across Japan — 108 prefectures in our directory.
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