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
Ise Shrine
Kagoshima
Amaterasu OmikamiA local Ise Shrine in Kagoshima Prefecture dedicated to the sun goddess Amaterasu Omikami. Like many...
View shrine →
Ise Shrine
Fukushima
Amaterasu OmikamiA shrine dedicated to Amaterasu Omikami, the sun goddess and supreme deity of the Shinto pantheon. T...
View shrine →
Ise Shrine
Kagoshima
Amaterasu OmikamiA local Ise Shrine in Kagoshima Prefecture dedicated to Amaterasu Omikami, the sun goddess and supre...
View shrine →
Ise Shrine
Kochi
Amaterasu OmikamiA local Ise Shrine in Kochi Prefecture, one of many shrines throughout Japan that enshrine Amaterasu...
View shrine →
Ise Shrine
Miyazaki
Amaterasu OmikamiA local Ise Shrine in Miyazaki Prefecture dedicated to the sun goddess Amaterasu Omikami. Like many...
View shrine →
Ise Toyokawa Inari Shrine
—
Toyokawa Dakini ShintenIse Toyokawa Inari is a branch shrine of the famous Toyokawa Inari in Aichi Prefecture, dedicated to...
View shrine →
Ise Toyouke Inari Shrine
—
Toyouke-no-Okami and Inari OkamiA shrine dedicated to both Toyouke-no-Okami, the deity of food and agriculture from Ise Grand Shrine...
View shrine →
Iseki Sumiyoshi Shrine
—
Sumiyoshi Sanjin (three sea deities)A local Sumiyoshi shrine dedicated to the three sea deities known as Sumiyoshi Sanjin. These kami ar...
View shrine →
Iseki-Suwa Jinja Shrine
白山市, 石川県
Suwa-no-kamiIseki-Suwa Jinja Shrine is a Shinto shrine located in the city of Katsuragi, Wakayama Prefecture, bu...
View shrine →
奈義町, 岡山県
Isemiya Shrine, located in Ōsaka, Osaka Prefecture, is a Shinto temple dedicated to the protection o...
View shrine →
Nagasaki
AmaterasuLocated in the heart of Nagasaki, Isenomiya Shrine is a serene Shinto sanctuary dedicated to the wor...
View shrine →
Isetama Shrine
Toyama
KatsuragikuIsetama Shrine is a Shinto shrine located in the city of Toyama, dedicated to the deity Katsuragiku,...
View shrine →
Iseyama Kotai Jingu
Kanagawa
Amaterasu OmikamiIseyama Kotai Jingu is a prominent Shinto shrine in Yokohama, Kanagawa Prefecture, dedicated to Amat...
View shrine →
Ishi Shrine
Gifu
Ishi Jinja is a Shinto shrine in Gifu Prefecture whose name translates to 'Stone Shrine,' suggesting...
View shrine →
Ishibashi Inari
Ibaraki
Inari OkamiIshibashi Inari Shrine is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the god of rice and fertility, Inari Okami, l...
View shrine →
ishidou-gongen
Tokushima
Sugawara no Michizane, Inazuma-oki, Iwamatsu-no-kamiIshidou-gongen Shrine in Tokushima Prefecture honors the spirit of Tokushima's founder, Ishida Mitsu...
View shrine →
Ishigami Jinja
Miyagi
Ōno-mikotoIshigami Jinja, located in the prefecture of Miyagi, is a Shinto shrine dedicated to protecting fish...
View shrine →
Ishigami Shrine
Chiba
OkamiLocated in the coastal town of Sakurako, Chiba Prefecture, Ishigami Shrine is a Shinto shrine dedica...
View shrine →
Ishigami Shrine
君津市, 千葉県
nullIshigami Shrine, located in Iwai-cho, Iwatsuki City, Chiba Prefecture, is a serene Shinto sanctuary...
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.