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
Hōkoku-jinja
Shiga
Hōkoku-gamiHokoku-jinja is a Shinto shrine located in the town of Nagahama, Shiga Prefecture. Dedicated to the...
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Hokokusha Shrine
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spirits of war deadHokokusha is a type of Shinto shrine dedicated to honoring the spirits of those who died in military...
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Hokotate Shrine
Oita
A Shinto shrine located in Oita Prefecture, with a name that references 'hoko' (halberd or spear) an...
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Hokumon-jinja Shrine
稚内市, 北海道
OkuninushiHokumon-jinja Shrine is a Shinto shrine located in Indigeneous Sapporo of Hokkaido, situated at the...
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Hokushin Shrine
Kanagawa
Ame-no-Minakanushi-no-KamiHokushin Shrine is dedicated to the North Star deity and celestial navigation. The name 'Hokushin' l...
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Home Jinja Shrine
Ibaraki
Iwaki no KamiLocated in the foothills of Mount Iwaki, the preserved remains of an old shrine complex can be seen...
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Homi Shrine
Kanagawa
OkuninushiLocated in the heart of Kamakura, Homi Shrine is a tranquil oasis that offers a glimpse into Japan's...
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Homusubi shirine - the fire diety
Hokkaido
Homu, fire deityLocated in the heart of Hokkaido, the Homusubi Shirine is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the kami of f...
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Homusubi Shrine
Shizuoka
UnknownHomusubi Shrine, located in the city of Ise, Shizuoka Prefecture, is dedicated to the spirit of fire...
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Honden
Shiga
Located in the city of Nagahama, Shiga Prefecture, Honden Shrine is a revered Shinto site that has b...
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Honden (Main Hall)
Shizuoka
AmaterasuLocated in the city of Hamamatsu, Shizuoka Prefecture, Honden Shrine is a notable Shinto shrine dedi...
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Hongaku Shrine
高森町, 長野県
KamuiLocated in the Japanese prefecture of Nagano, Hongaku Shrine is a Shinto temple dedicated to the dei...
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Honkawahamaebisu Shrine
Shimane
EbisuHonkawahamaebisu Shrine, located in the coastal town of Shimane Prefecture, is a tranquil Shinto san...
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Hora-jinja
姫路市, 兵庫県
TenjinHora-jinja Shrine is a Shinto temple located in Himeji, Hyogo Prefecture. Dedicated to the god of wi...
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Horai Horai Shrine
Kumamoto
Deities of fortune and prosperityA relatively modern shrine in Kumamoto Prefecture known for its association with good fortune and fi...
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Horai Inari Shrine
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Inari OkamiHorai Inari Shrine is a local Inari shrine dedicated to the rice and prosperity deity Inari Okami. L...
View shrine →Jump to Shinto shrines across Japan — 108 prefectures in our directory.
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