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
Kaneyama Shrine
Kochi
Deities of mining and metalworkingA shrine in Kochi Prefecture dedicated to the protective deities of mining and metalworking. The nam...
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Kangiin Kumagaya
Gunma
AmaterasuLocated in the city of Kumagaya, Gunma Prefecture, Kangiin Kumagaya Shrine is a Shinto shrine dedica...
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Kanhatorizuhata-dono Shrine
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Deity of sacred weaving for AmaterasuOne of two sacred weaving shrines associated with Ise Grand Shrine, specifically dedicated to the pr...
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Kanie Shinmei Shrine
Gifu
Amaterasu OmikamiKanie Shinmei Shrine is a Shinmei shrine dedicated to Amaterasu Omikami, the sun goddess and supreme...
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Kankoku Uzumine Shrine
Kagoshima
A historic Shinto shrine in Kagoshima Prefecture associated with ancient Korean cultural connections...
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Kannon Shrine
Kumamoto
A Shinto shrine in Kumamoto Prefecture dedicated to Kannon, the Buddhist bodhisattva of compassion w...
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Kannoura Hachimangu Shrine
Kochi
Hachiman (God of War and Divine Protection)Kannoura Hachimangu is a Hachiman shrine located in Kochi Prefecture, dedicated to the deified Emper...
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Kanomata Hachiman Jinja
Miyagi
HachimanLocated in the heart of Kanomata City, Miyagi Prefecture, 鹿又八幡神社 is a revered Shinto shrine de...
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Kanou Oji Shrine
Wakayama
Kumano deitiesKanou Oji is one of the subsidiary shrines (oji) along the sacred Kumano Kodo pilgrimage routes in W...
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Karakuni Shrine
Osaka
FūjinLocated in Osaka, Karakuni Shrine is dedicated to the Shinto deity of fire, agriculture, and fertili...
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Karaneko Shrine
Nagano
Located in the Japanese prefecture of Nagano, Karaneko Shrine is a Shinto temple dedicated to the ka...
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Karashi Shrine
Yamanashi
A local Shinto shrine located in Yamanashi Prefecture, serving the spiritual needs of the surroundin...
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Karashi Shrine
Yamanashi
A local Shinto shrine in Yamanashi Prefecture known by its distinctive name written with characters...
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Karasu Shrine
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A Shinto shrine whose name derives from 'karasu' meaning crow, suggesting possible connections to th...
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Karasu Shrine
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Emperor Ojin (Ojin Tenno)Karasu Shrine is a historic Shinto shrine located in Mie Prefecture, dedicated primarily to Emperor...
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Karasugi Tenmangu Shrine
Oita
Sugawara no MichizaneKarasugi Tenmangu is a Tenjin shrine in Oita Prefecture dedicated to Sugawara no Michizane, the deif...
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Karasumori Shrine
Chiba
EnmeiLocated in the town of Narita, Chiba Prefecture, Karasumori Shrine is a Shinto temple dedicated to t...
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Karasunuma Shrine
Akita
Located in the scenic Akita Prefecture, Karasunuma Shrine is a serene Shinto temple dedicated to the...
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Karasuyama Inari Shrine
Gunma
Inari OkamiLocated in the Gunma prefecture, Karasuyama Inari Shrine is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the worship...
View shrine →Jump to Shinto shrines across Japan — 108 prefectures in our directory.
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