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
Katabira-cho Sugiyama Shrine
Kanagawa
Yamato Takeru no MikotoA local Sugiyama shrine located in the Katabira-cho area of Kanagawa Prefecture. Part of the extensi...
View shrine →
Katayama Hachiman Shrine
Gifu
Emperor Ojin (Hachiman)Katayama Hachiman Shrine is a Hachiman shrine located in Gifu Prefecture dedicated to Emperor Ojin,...
View shrine →
Katayama Shrine
Osaka
Yuta SanKatayama Shrine, located in the heart of Osaka Prefecture, is a serene oasis amidst bustling city li...
View shrine →
Kato Shrine
Kumamoto
Kato KiyomasaKato Shrine is dedicated to Kato Kiyomasa, the renowned daimyo who built Kumamoto Castle and ruled t...
View shrine →
Katori Shrine
Ibaraki
OkuninushiLocated in the town of Katori, Ibaraki Prefecture, Katori Shrine is one of Japan's most famous Shint...
View shrine →
Katori Shrine
Ibaraki
AmaterasuLocated in the Prefecture of Ibaraki, Katori Shrine is one of Japan's most important Shinto shrines...
View shrine →
Katori Shrine
Ibaraki
HachimanKatori Shrine is a Shinto shrine located in the town of Katori, Ibaraki Prefecture. Dedicated to the...
View shrine →
Katori Shrine
Ibaraki
AmaterasuLocated in the town of Sakurako, Chiba Prefecture, is Katori Shrine, a Shinto shrine dedicated to th...
View shrine →
Katori Soreisha Shrine
Ibaraki
RyujinKatori Soreisha Shrine, located in Ibaraki Prefecture, is a revered Shinto shrine dedicated to the k...
View shrine →
Katori-jinja Shrine
Ibaraki
Susanowo-no-kamiLocated in the prefecture of Ibaraki, Katori-jinja Shrine is one of Japan's most ancient shrines, wi...
View shrine →
Katori-jinja Shrine
Ibaraki
AmaterasuLocated in the heart of Ibaraki Prefecture, Katori-jinja Shrine is a sacred Shinto site that dates b...
View shrine →
Katori-jinja Shrine
Ibaraki
AmaterasuLocated in the town of Kamakura, Ibaraki Prefecture, Katori-jinja Shrine is one of Japan's oldest an...
View shrine →
Katorijinjya
Ibaraki
Katorijinjya Shrine, located in the rural town of Fukuda, Ibaraki Prefecture, is a tranquil Shinto s...
View shrine →
Katsubuchi Jinja
Tokyo
nullLocated in the heart of Tokyo, Katsubuchi Jinja is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the kami of victory...
View shrine →
Katsuhayahi Shrine
—
Katsuhayahi-no-mikotoA Shinto shrine dedicated to Katsuhayahi-no-mikoto, a deity associated with swift victory and divine...
View shrine →
Katsukuri Shrine
Kagoshima
A local Shinto shrine in Kagoshima Prefecture whose name literally means 'victory chestnuts,' sugges...
View shrine →
Katsuragi Futagami Shrine
Osaka
Katsuragi Futagami Shrine, located in the heart of Osaka Prefecture, is a revered Shinto site dedica...
View shrine →
Katsuragi Shrine
Osaka
HachimanKatsuragi Shrine is a Shinto shrine located in the town of Izumigawa, Osaka Prefecture. The shrine i...
View shrine →
Katsuragi-jinja
京丹波町, 京都府
Susanoo-no-MikotoKatsuragi-jinja is a Shinto shrine located in the town of Kyodanbo, Nara Prefecture. Dedicated to th...
View shrine →
Kattamine-Jinja Shrine
Miyagi
nullLocated in the Kamaishi Peninsula of Miyagi Prefecture, Kattamine-Jinja Shrine is a Shinto shrine de...
View shrine →
Katte Shrine
Gifu
Local protective deityA local Shinto shrine in Gifu Prefecture dedicated to protective deities of the community. The name...
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.
