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
Hikone Katori Shrine
Ibaraki
Katori OkamiLocated in the Ibaraki Prefecture, Hikone Katori Shrine is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the deity of...
View shrine →
Hikosan Shrine
Kumamoto
Mountain kamiA Shinto shrine dedicated to mountain worship and spiritual practice, part of the broader Hikosan re...
View shrine →
Hikosan Shrine
Kagoshima
Mountain deitiesA Shinto shrine located in Kagoshima Prefecture, dedicated to mountain deities and serving the local...
View shrine →
Hikosan Shrine
Saga
Inari Ō-no-miyatsukoLocated in the Nanzaki Village of Saga City, Hikosan Shrine is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the deit...
View shrine →
Hikuni-Hachiman Jinja Shrine
白山市, 石川県
HachimanLocated in the city of Kanazawa, Ishikawa Prefecture, Hikuni-Hachiman Jinja Shrine is a Shinto shrin...
View shrine →
Himaka Shrine
—
Local maritime deitiesHimaka Shrine is located on Himakajima Island in Mikawa Bay, Aichi Prefecture. This island shrine se...
View shrine →
Hime-no-miya Shrine
Gifu
Female deity or princess kamiA Shinto shrine in Gifu Prefecture dedicated to a female deity, as indicated by the 'hime' (princess...
View shrine →
Himeji Castle
Hyogo
HimegimiHimeji Castle, located in Hyogo Prefecture, is a renowned Shinto shrine dedicated to the sun goddess...
View shrine →
Himemiya Shrine
Ibaraki
Susanoo-no-MikotoHimemiya Shrine, located in Ibaraki Prefecture, is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the kami of agricult...
View shrine →
Himeogawa Akiba Shrine
—
Kagutsuchi-no-MikotoA local Akiba shrine dedicated to fire prevention and protection from disasters. Akiba shrines are f...
View shrine →
Himesaka Kanachiana Shrine
新見市, 岡山県
KanachianaHimesaka Kanachiana Shrine, located in the city of New San'i, Okayama Prefecture, is a Shinto shrine...
View shrine →
Himeura Shrine
Kumamoto
A Shinto shrine located in Kumamoto Prefecture, dedicated to local kami and serving the spiritual ne...
View shrine →
Himeyu Shrine
Shizuoka
nullHimeyu Shrine, located in the city of Iwata, Shizuoka Prefecture, is a historic Shinto shrine dedica...
View shrine →
Himori Shrine
Gifu
A Shinto shrine located in Gifu Prefecture, dedicated to solar and protective deities as suggested b...
View shrine →
Himukai daijingu
Shiga
Located in the city of Nagahama, Shiga Prefecture, Himukai Daiji Temple is a historic Shinto shrine...
View shrine →
Himure Hachiman Shrine
Shiga
HachimanLocated in the heart of Japan's Kansai region, Himure Hachiman Shrine is a serene oasis that honors...
View shrine →
Himuro Shrine
Shiga
nullHimuro Shrine is a Shinto shrine located in the Katsuyama City of Shiga Prefecture, dedicated to the...
View shrine →
Himuro Tenjin Shrine
Kochi
Sugawara no MichizaneA Tenjin shrine in Kochi Prefecture dedicated to Sugawara no Michizane, the deified scholar and poli...
View shrine →
Hino Kitano Shrine
Osaka
Takehisa-no-KamiHino Kitano Shrine is a Shinto shrine located in Osaka, dedicated to the god of agriculture and fert...
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.