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
Kashima Mikoto Shrine
Fukushima
Takemikazuchi-no-mikotoA Shinto shrine in Fukushima Prefecture dedicated to Takemikazuchi-no-mikoto, the powerful deity of...
View shrine →
Kashima Shrine
Fukushima
Takemikazuchi-no-MikotoKashima Shrine in Fukushima Prefecture is dedicated to Takemikazuchi-no-Mikoto, the powerful thunder...
View shrine →
Kashima Shrine
Fukushima
Takemikazuchi-no-MikotoA Shinto shrine in Fukushima Prefecture dedicated to Takemikazuchi-no-Mikoto, the powerful deity of...
View shrine →
Kashima Shrine
Kanagawa
Takemikazuchi-no-MikotoA Shinto shrine dedicated to Takemikazuchi-no-Mikoto, the powerful deity of thunder and swordsmanshi...
View shrine →
Kashima Shrine
Kanagawa
Takemikazuchi-no-mikotoKashima Shrine is a Shinto shrine dedicated to Takemikazuchi-no-mikoto, the powerful deity of thunde...
View shrine →
Kashima Shrine
Kanagawa
Takemikazuchi-no-mikotoA Shinto shrine dedicated to Takemikazuchi-no-mikoto, the powerful deity of thunder, swordsmanship,...
View shrine →
Kashima Shrine
君津市, 千葉県
AmaterasuLocated in the city of Kamiitsu, Chiba Prefecture, Kashima Shrine is one of Japan's most famous Shin...
View shrine →
Kashima Shrine
Hyogo
TakemikazuchiLocated in Hyogo Prefecture, Kashima Shrine is a Shinto temple dedicated to the god of the sea, Take...
View shrine →
Kashima Shrine
—
Takemikazuchi-no-OkamiA Shinto shrine dedicated to Takemikazuchi-no-Okami, the powerful deity of thunder, swords, and mart...
View shrine →
Kashima shrine
Miyagi
TsukuyomiKashima Shrine is a Shinto shrine located in the Kamaishi city of Miyagi Prefecture, Japan. The shri...
View shrine →
Kashima Shrine
Ibaraki
Amaterasu OkamiLocated in the town of Kashima, Ibaraki Prefecture, Kashima Shrine is a Shinto shrine dedicated to t...
View shrine →
Kashima Shrine
Ibaraki
AmaterasuKashima Shrine, located in Ibaraki Prefecture, is one of Japan's most famous Shinto shrines dedicate...
View shrine →
Kashima Shrine
Ibaraki
Kashima Shrine, located in the Ibaraki Prefecture of Japan, is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the god...
View shrine →
Kashima Shrine
Ibaraki
Amaterasu OmikamiKashima Shrine, located in Ibaraki Prefecture, is one of the oldest Shinto shrines in Japan, with a...
View shrine →
Kashima Shrine
Ibaraki
Ōkamisan no MikotoKashima Shrine, located in Ibaraki Prefecture, is dedicated to the kami Ōkamisan no Mikoto and Okami...
View shrine →
Kashima Shrine
Ibaraki
Located on the island of Kashima in Ibaraki Prefecture, Kashima Shrine is a Shinto shrine that has b...
View shrine →
Kashima Shrine
Ibaraki
Amaterasu OmikamiKashima Shrine, located in the town of Kashima in Ibaraki Prefecture, is one of Japan's oldest and m...
View shrine →
Kashima Shrine
Ibaraki
Susanoo-no-MikotoKashima Shrine, located in the town of Kashima in Ibaraki Prefecture, is a Shinto shrine dedicated t...
View shrine →
Kashima Shrine
Ibaraki
Amaterasu, SusanooLocated in Ibaraki Prefecture, Kashima Shrine is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the sun goddess Amater...
View shrine →
Kashima Shrine
Ibaraki
Amaterasu OmikamiKashima Shrine is a Shinto shrine located in Kashima, Ibaraki Prefecture, on the island of Kashima-j...
View shrine →
Kashima Shrine
Ibaraki
Amaterasu ŌmikamiKashima Shrine, located in Ibaraki Prefecture, is one of the oldest and most revered Shinto shrines...
View shrine →
Kashima Shrine
Toyama
Inari OkamiLocated in the city of Toyama, Kashima Shrine is dedicated to Inari Okami, a kami associated with fe...
View shrine →
Kashima Shrine
Shizuoka
SusanooKashima Shrine is a revered Shinto site located in the city of Iwata, Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan. De...
View shrine →
Kashima shrine
栃木県芳賀郡益子町大字, Tochigi
Located in the scenic town of Yasi, Kashima Shrine is a Shinto temple dedicated to the kami (spirits...
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.