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
Kakuru Shrine
Shizuoka
HikokuroLocated in the city of Iwata, Shizuoka Prefecture, Kakuru Shrine is a Shinto temple dedicated to the...
View shrine →
Kamado Jinja
Fukuoka
Located in Fukuoka Prefecture, Kamado Jinja Shrine is dedicated to the Shinto deity of fire and indu...
View shrine →
Kamado Shrine
Kochi
Kitchen and hearth deitiesA Shinto shrine in Kochi Prefecture dedicated to kamado (kitchen hearth) deities, reflecting the tra...
View shrine →
Kamata Hachiman Shrine
大田区, 東京都
HachimanLocated in the Kamagawa River delta of Tokyo Bay, Kamata Hachiman Shrine is a sacred Shinto site ded...
View shrine →
Kamatari Inari Jinja
Gunma
Inari OkamiKamatari Inari Jinja, located in the Gunma prefecture, is one of Japan's most prominent Shinto shrin...
View shrine →
Kameari Katori Shrine
Ibaraki
RyujinKameari Katori Shrine, located in Ibaraki Prefecture, is dedicated to the kami of fertility and agri...
View shrine →
Kameido Tenjin Shrine
江東区, 東京都
TenjinKameido Tenjin Shrine is a Shinto shrine located in the Koto ward of Tokyo, dedicated to the deity T...
View shrine →
Kameoka Hachimangu
Kanagawa
HachimanKameoka Hachimangu is a Hachiman shrine located in Kanagawa Prefecture dedicated to the divine spiri...
View shrine →
Kameoka Hachimangu Shrine
Kanagawa
Hachiman, god of war and protector of JapanKameoka Hachimangu is a Hachiman shrine in Kanagawa Prefecture dedicated to the deified Emperor Ojin...
View shrine →
Kameoka Shrine
Nagasaki
InariKameoka Shrine is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the kami of the same name, located in the city of Kam...
View shrine →
Kameyama Shrine
Yamaguchi
Emperor Chuai, Empress Jingu, Emperor OjinA historic Hachiman shrine located in Shimonoseki, Yamaguchi Prefecture, situated on Mount Kameyama...
View shrine →
Kamezaki Otaga Shrine
—
Izanagi-no-Mikoto and Izanami-no-MikotoKamezaki Otaga Shrine is a local Taga shrine dedicated to the primordial creator deities Izanagi and...
View shrine →
Kamezumi Inari Shrine
千代田区, 東京都
Inari OkamiKamezumi Inari Shrine, located in the heart of Tokyo's Chiyoda ward, is a revered Shinto shrine dedi...
View shrine →
Kami no Hikawa Shrine
Saitama
nullKami no Hikawa Shrine, located in Saitama Prefecture, is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the kami of th...
View shrine →
Kami-Tabata Hachiman-jinja Shrine
Ibaraki
HachimanLocated in the town of Kashima, Ibaraki Prefecture, Kami-Tabata Hachiman-jinja Shrine is a Shinto sh...
View shrine →
Kamiari Shrine
Nagasaki
Kamiari Shrine, located in the heart of Nagasaki Prefecture, is a serene Shinto oasis nestled amidst...
View shrine →
Kamichikama Shrine
Gifu
Local protective deitiesA local Shinto shrine in Gifu Prefecture that serves the spiritual needs of the surrounding communit...
View shrine →
Kamichikama Shrine
Gifu
Local protective deityA local Shinto shrine in Gifu Prefecture dedicated to protective deities of the community. The shrin...
View shrine →
Kamigami Shrine
Yamaguchi
Various kami (gods)A Shinto shrine located in Yamaguchi Prefecture, whose name literally means 'divine gods' or 'gods a...
View shrine →
Kamigamo Shrine
—
Wake-ikazuchi-no-mikotoOne of Kyoto's oldest Shinto shrines and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Kamigamo Shrine is formally k...
View shrine →
Kamigamo Shrine
Shiga
Inari OkamiLocated in the heart of Kyoto, Kamigamo Shrine is a revered Shinto site dedicated to the god Inari O...
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.