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
Kikukawatenmangu Shrine
小田原市, 神奈川県
InariLocated in the city of Odawara, Kanagawa Prefecture, Kikukawatenmangu Shrine is a Shinto shrine dedi...
View shrine →
Kikurihime Jinja Shrine
白山市, 石川県
nullKikurihime Jinja Shrine is a Shinto shrine located in Sakuragaoka, Whitehorse City, Ishikawa Prefect...
View shrine →
Kimigasaki Inari Shrine
Kanagawa
Inari OkamiKimigasaki Inari Shrine is a local Inari shrine located in Kanagawa Prefecture, dedicated to the Shi...
View shrine →
Kimpu Shrine
Kochi
Zaō GongenA Shinto shrine in Kochi Prefecture dedicated to Zaō Gongen, a syncretic Buddhist-Shinto deity assoc...
View shrine →
Kinbō Shrine
Akita
RyujinLocated in the heart of Akita, Kinbō Shrine is a sacred Shinto site dedicated to the protection and...
View shrine →
Kingyoku Jinja Shrine
新潟市, 新潟県
TenzaiinKingyoku Jinja Shrine, located in Niigata City, is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the kami of prosperi...
View shrine →
Kingyokuinari Jinja Shrine
新潟市, 新潟県
InariKingyokuinari Jinja Shrine is a Shinto shrine located in the heart of Niigata City, dedicated to Ina...
View shrine →
Kinkai Shrine
Shizuoka
Kukuri-gamiKinkai Shrine, located in the city of Fujioka, Shizuoka Prefecture, is a Shinto shrine dedicated to...
View shrine →
Kinkengu
Ishikawa
Hachiman OkamiKinkengu Shrine is a Shinto temple located in the city of Kanazawa, Ishikawa Prefecture. The shrine...
View shrine →
Kinkokyo Hananomiya Church
高松市, 香川県
Inari, HachimanLocated in Kagawa Prefecture, the Shrine of Gold Light Temple is dedicated to the Shinto deities Ina...
View shrine →
Kinkyo-Hachiman Jinja Shrine
野々市市, 石川県
HachimanKinkyo-Hachiman Jinja Shrine, located in Ishikawa Prefecture's Noto region, is a historic Shinto tem...
View shrine →
Kinno Suwa Jinja
Nagano
Suwabikuni-no-kamiKinno Suwa Jinja is a Shinto shrine located in the Japanese prefecture of Nagano, dedicated to the k...
View shrine →
Kinomiya Shrine
熱海市, 静岡県
FujinKinomiya Shrine, located in Hotaka, Shizuoka Prefecture, is a Shinto shrine that dates back to the E...
View shrine →
Kinoyama shrine
Okayama
Inari OkamiLocated in the heart of Okayama Prefecture, Kinoyama Shrine is a revered Shinto site dedicated to th...
View shrine →
Kinpō Shrine
Yamagata
Kinpō Shrine is a Shinto shrine located in the mountains of Yamagata Prefecture, Japan. Dedicated to...
View shrine →
Kinpo Shrine
Kagoshima
Spirits of the war deadA Shinto shrine located in Kagoshima Prefecture, dedicated to the spirits of those who died in servi...
View shrine →
Kinpu Shrine
Gifu
Zaō GongenKinpu Shrine is a mountain shrine in Gifu Prefecture dedicated to Zaō Gongen, the syncretic deity of...
View shrine →
Kinpu Shrine
Kochi
Zaō GongenKinpu Shrine is a Shinto shrine in Kochi Prefecture dedicated to Zaō Gongen, a syncretic deity combi...
View shrine →
Kinpu Shrine
Kochi
Zaō GongenKinpu Shrine is a mountain shrine in Kochi Prefecture dedicated to Zaō Gongen, a syncretic deity com...
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.