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
Gunma
Tamba no OkamiTamba no Okami Shrine, located in the town of Shibukawa in Gunma Prefecture, is a Shinto shrine dedi...
View shrine →
Gunma
nullLocated in the Gunma prefecture, Iwakawa Shrine is dedicated to the worship of the Shinto kami of wa...
View shrine →
Gunma
UnknownLocated in the scenic Gunma prefecture, 雀ノ森氷川神社 is a tranquil Shinto shrine nestled amidst lu...
View shrine →
Gunma
InariLocated in the city of Kusatsu, Gunma Prefecture, Float Island Inari Shrine is a Shinto shrine dedic...
View shrine →
Gunma
TametoraLocated in the town of Tateyama, Gunma Prefecture,諏訪神社 is one of Japan's oldest shrines, with a...
View shrine →
Gunma
DayehLocated in the city of Takasaki, Gunma Prefecture, Dayeh Jinsha is a Shinto shrine that has been ded...
View shrine →
Gunma
Gobou-shinLocated in the city of Takasaki, Gunma Prefecture, High Altitude Shrine is dedicated to the Shinto d...
View shrine →
Gunma
Ryousen-gu-no-oki-tamaRyousen-gu Shrine is a Shinto shrine located in Gunma Prefecture, dedicated to Ryousen-gu-no-oki-tam...
View shrine →
Gunma
Shichiyama no NagatoWild Deer Shrine in the Japanese Alps, located in the town of Mikage, Gunma Prefecture. It is dedica...
View shrine →
Gunma
nullOne之宮貫前神社, located in Gunma Prefecture, is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the kami of the one ro...
View shrine →
Gunma
Ōtomo no OkuninushiLocated in the town of Shibukawa, Gunma Prefecture,諏訪神社 is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the deit...
View shrine →
Gunma
HakuLocated in the mountains of Gunma Prefecture, 小ヶ谷白山神社 is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the dei...
View shrine →
Gunma
ToshizakuraLocated in the mountainous region of Gunma Prefecture, Hachiya Shrine is a revered Shinto site dedic...
View shrine →
Gunma
Utsunomiya Inari Shrine is a Shinto shrine located in Gunma Prefecture, dedicated to the worship of...
View shrine →
Gunma
Susanoo-no-MikotoLocated in the city of Gunma, located within the prefecture, is Upper Country One Society Eight-Hors...
View shrine →
Gunma
Osumi Okami-no-MikotoWhite Beard Shrine, dedicated to the Shinto deity Osumi Okami-no-Mikoto, is located in the town of S...
View shrine →
Gunma
Inari OkamiLocated in Gunma Prefecture, Shuri Inari Shrine is a small but significant Shinto temple dedicated t...
View shrine →
Gunma
Hachiman, FujinLonger Shrine, located in the town of Akaiwa in Gunma Prefecture, is dedicated to Longevity and Good...
View shrine →
Gunma
Iroha-to-no-kamiLocated in the scenic Nikko National Park, Shirogakuen御嶽神社 is a serene Shinto shrine dedicated t...
View shrine →
Gunma
Okuninushi Ōno-MasakatsuLocated in the city of Maebashi, Gunma Prefecture, Endō Shrine is dedicated to Okuninushi Ōno-Masaka...
View shrine →
Gunma
TenchuToshogu Shrine is a Shinto shrine located in the city of NikkĦ, Tochigi Prefecture, Japan. It was bu...
View shrine →
Gunma
AmaterasuLocated in the city of Takasaki, Gunma Prefecture, Takasaki High Shrine is a Shinto shrine that has...
View shrine →
Gunma
Takemikazuchi諏訪神社 is a Shinto shrine located in Gunma Prefecture, dedicated to the kami of the same name. The...
View shrine →
Gunma
KubikinshaLocated in the Gunma prefecture, Kubikinsha Shrine is a Shinto temple dedicated to the kami of the s...
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.