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 Shrine
Saga
AmaterasuKashima Shrine, located in the city of Karatsu in Saga Prefecture, is one of Japan's most ancient sh...
View shrine →
Kashima Shrine
Shizuoka
AmaterasuKashima Shrine, located in the mountains of Shizuoka Prefecture, is a sacred site revered by locals...
View shrine →
Kashima Shrine
Shizuoka
Amaterasu Omikami, Susanoo-no-MikotoKashima Shrine, located in Shizuoka Prefecture, is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the sun goddess Amat...
View shrine →
Kashima Tenmangu Shrine
Kumamoto
Sugawara no MichizaneKashima Tenmangu is a Tenjin shrine in Kumamoto Prefecture dedicated to Sugawara no Michizane, the d...
View shrine →
Kashima-jinja Shrine
石巻市, 宮城県
Amaterasu, Susanoo no MikotoLocated in the city of Ishinomaki, Kashima-jinja Shrine is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the sun godd...
View shrine →
Kashiwabaramyo Jinja
Nagano
Kaminari no okami, Fujin no okamiKashiwabaramyo Jinja is a Shinto shrine located in the Japanese prefecture of Nagano, dedicated to t...
View shrine →
Kashiwagi Shrine
Ibaraki
Inari OkamiKashiwagi Shrine, located in the scenic town of Minakami in Ibaraki Prefecture, is dedicated to the...
View shrine →
Kasuga Inari Shrine
—
Inari OkamiKasuga Inari Shrine is a local Shinto shrine dedicated to Inari, the kami of rice, sake, agriculture...
View shrine →
Kasuga Jinja
Miyagi
Ō no YasukuniKasuga Jinja is a Shinto shrine located in the prefecture of Miyagi, Japan. The shrine is famous for...
View shrine →
Kasuga Jinja shrine
Niigata
Kasuga OkamiKasuga Jinja shrine is a Shinto shrine located in the heart of Echigo River Valley, Niigata Prefectu...
View shrine →
Kasuga Jinja shrine
Niigata
Amaterasu OkamiKasuga Jinja shrine is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the Amaterasu Okami, located in the heart of Nii...
View shrine →
Kasuga Jinja Shrine
Saitama
Kasuga OkamiKasuga Jinja Shrine, located in the city of Togashima, Saitama Prefecture, is a Shinto shrine dedica...
View shrine →
kasuga shrine
Nagasaki
Kasuga OkamiKasuga Shrine, located in Nagasaki Prefecture, is one of Japan's most famous Shinto shrines, known f...
View shrine →
Kasuga Shrine
Chiba
Amaterasu OmikamiKasuga Shrine, located in Chiba Prefecture, is a revered Shinto site dedicated to the god of fertili...
View shrine →
Kasuga Shrine
Shiga
Kasuga OkamiKasuga Shrine, located in Omi-Hachiman, Shiga Prefecture, is a renowned Shinto shrine dedicated to t...
View shrine →
Kasuga Shrine
—
Takemikazuchi-no-mikoto and other Kasuga deitiesKasuga Shrine is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the Kasuga deities, particularly associated with the p...
View shrine →
Kasuga Shrine
—
Takemikazuchi-no-mikoto and other Kasuga deitiesKasuga Shrine is one of many shrines throughout Japan dedicated to the Kasuga deities, following the...
View shrine →
Kasuga Shrine
—
Takemikazuchi-no-mikoto and other Kasuga deitiesKasuga Shrine is one of many shrines throughout Japan dedicated to the Kasuga deities, following the...
View shrine →
Kasuga Shrine
—
Takemikazuchi-no-mikoto and other Kasuga deitiesKasuga Shrine is one of many shrines throughout Japan dedicated to the Kasuga deities, following the...
View shrine →
Kasuga Shrine
Kumamoto
Takemikazuchi-no-mikotoKasuga Shrine is a Shinto shrine in Kumamoto Prefecture dedicated to the Kasuga deities. Like other...
View shrine →
Kasuga Shrine
Kumamoto
Takemikazuchi-no-mikoto and other Kasuga deitiesA Kasuga shrine in Kumamoto Prefecture dedicated to the traditional Kasuga deities. Like other Kasug...
View shrine →
Kasuga Shrine
Kochi
Takemikazuchi-no-mikotoKasuga Shrine in Kochi Prefecture is a local branch of the famous Kasuga Taisha system, dedicated to...
View shrine →
Kasuga Shrine
Kochi
Takemikazuchi-no-mikoto and other Kasuga deitiesKasuga Shrine is a Shinto shrine in Kochi Prefecture dedicated to the Kasuga deities. Like other Kas...
View shrine →
Kasuga Shrine
Kochi
Takemikazuchi-no-mikoto and other Kasuga deitiesA Kasuga shrine in Kochi Prefecture dedicated to the traditional Kasuga deities. Like other Kasuga 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.