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
Kinryu Shrine
岡山市, 岡山県
Located in Okayama City, Kinryu Shrine is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the dragon deity Ryujin. The...
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Kinsatu-gu
京都市, 京都府
Kinsatu-gu Shrine is a Shinto shrine located in the heart of Kyoto City, dedicated to the enshrined...
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Kinsei Shrine
Kochi
A Shinto shrine in Kochi Prefecture dedicated to fertility and prosperity deities, known for its con...
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Kippo Hachiman Shrine
鴨川市, 千葉県
HachimanLocated in Chiba Prefecture, Kippo Hachiman Shrine is a historic Shinto shrine dedicated to the deit...
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Kira Jinja Shrine
Niigata
KiraKira Jinja Shrine is a Shinto temple located in the town of Minami-Kawauchi, Niigata Prefecture. The...
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Kira Shrine
Kochi
A Shinto shrine located in Kochi Prefecture, dedicated to local protective deities and serving the s...
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Kira Shrine
Kochi
A local Shinto shrine located in Kochi Prefecture, serving the spiritual needs of the surrounding co...
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Kiribayashi Hachiman Jinja
Nagano
HachimanKiribayashi Hachiman Jinja is a Shinto shrine located in the prefecture of Nagano, dedicated to the...
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Kirihata Tamanooya Shrine
Yamaguchi
Tamanooya no MikotoKirihata Tamanooya Shrine is dedicated to Tamanooya no Mikoto, a deity associated with jewel-making...
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Kirishima Shrine
Kagoshima
Ninigi-no-MikotoA historic Shinto shrine located in the volcanic Kirishima mountain range of Kagoshima Prefecture, d...
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Kirishima Shrine
Kagoshima
Ninigi-no-MikotoA prominent Shinto shrine located in the volcanic Kirishima mountain range of Kagoshima Prefecture,...
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Kiriwari Shinmei Shrine
Kanagawa
Amaterasu OmikamiKiriwari Shinmei Shrine is a Shinmei shrine in Kanagawa Prefecture dedicated to Amaterasu Omikami, t...
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Kisa Shrine
Shizuoka
Kami of agriculture and fertility, likely related to the local willow tree kamiKisa Shrine, located in the town of Mikura, Shizuoka Prefecture, is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the...
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Kishimojin Shrine
Kagoshima
Kishimojin (Hariti)A shrine dedicated to Kishimojin (Hariti in Sanskrit), a Buddhist deity who became integrated into J...
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Kishu Horai Horai Shrine
Wakayama
A Shinto shrine in Wakayama Prefecture known for its connection to good fortune and prosperity. The...
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Kita Shrine
Shizuoka
Sugisama-no-kamiLocated in the heart of Shizuoka Prefecture, Kita Shrine is a sacred site that honors the kami of Mo...
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Kita-Meiji Inari Shrine
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Inari OkamiA local Inari shrine dedicated to the kami of rice, prosperity, and business success. Like many Inar...
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Kitabatake Shrine
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Kitabatake ChikafusaA shrine dedicated to the Kitabatake family, particularly Kitabatake Chikafusa, a prominent court no...
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Kitagawa Sansha Daimyojin
Nagano
nullLocated in the heart of Japan, Kitagawa Sansha Daimyojin Shrine is a revered Shinto site dedicated t...
View shrine →Jump to Shinto shrines across Japan — 108 prefectures in our directory.
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