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
Kitagawa Tenmangu Shrine
Gifu
Sugawara no MichizaneKitagawa Tenmangu is a Shinto shrine in Gifu Prefecture dedicated to Sugawara no Michizane, the deif...
View shrine →
Kitaguchi Hongū Fuji Sengen Shrine
Yamanashi
SengenLocated in the scenic town of Fujikawaguchiko, Kitaguchi Hongū Fuji Sengen Shrine is a Shinto temple...
View shrine →
Kitahama Sansha Inari
Chiba
Inari OkamiLocated in the coastal town of Kitahama, Chiba Prefecture, the North Beach Three Society Inari Shrin...
View shrine →
Kitajima-Kamo Jinja Shrine
白山市, 石川県
KusunokamiKitajima-Kamo Jinja Shrine is a Shinto temple located in the heart of White City, Ishikawa Prefectur...
View shrine →
Kitakanme Shrine
Kanagawa
A local Shinto shrine located in the Kanagawa Prefecture, serving the Kitakanme area community with...
View shrine →
Kitakata Kotaijingu Shrine
Kanagawa
Amaterasu OmikamiKitakata Kotaijingu is a Shinto shrine in Kanagawa Prefecture dedicated to Amaterasu Omikami, the su...
View shrine →
Kitamuki Atago Inari Shrine
Fukushima
Inari Okami and Atago no MikotoA Shinto shrine in Fukushima Prefecture that combines worship of Inari, the rice and prosperity deit...
View shrine →
Kitano Jinja
Miyagi
BenzaitenLocated in the heart of Sendai, Miyagi Prefecture, Kitano Jinja is a historic Shinto shrine dedicate...
View shrine →
Kitano shrine
Akita
Sugawara-no-MichizaneKitano Shrine, located in Akita Prefecture, is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the god of learning and...
View shrine →
Kitano Shrine
Fukushima
Sugawara no MichizaneA Tenjin shrine in Fukushima Prefecture dedicated to Sugawara no Michizane, the deified scholar and...
View shrine →
Kitano Shrine
Chiba
Susanoo no MikotoLocated in the heart of Tokyo, Kitano Shrine is a Shinto temple dedicated to the worship of Emperor...
View shrine →
Kitano Shrine
—
Sugawara no MichizaneKitano Shrine is a Shinto shrine dedicated to Sugawara no Michizane, the deified spirit of learning...
View shrine →
Kitano Shrine
文京区, 東京都
Inari OkamiLocated in the heart of Setagaya Ward, Kitano Shrine is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the god of agri...
View shrine →
Kitano Shrine
Chiba
Kitano Shrine, located in Chiba Prefecture, is one of Japan's oldest Shinto shrines, with a history...
View shrine →
Kitano Shrine
Saitama
HachimanKitano Shrine, located in Saitama Prefecture, is one of Japan's oldest shrines, with a history datin...
View shrine →
Kitano Tenman Shrine
Shiga
Raijin, OtohimeKitano Tenman Shrine is a Shinto shrine located in Kyoto, not Shiga, and it is dedicated to the god...
View shrine →
Kitano Tenman-jinja
Osaka
TenmanLocated in the heart of Osaka's Kitano district, Kitano Tenman-jinja is a Shinto shrine dedicated to...
View shrine →
Kitano Tenman-jinja Shrine
Saitama
Tenman OkamiLocated in the heart of Tokyo, Kitano Tenman-jinja Shrine is a historic Shinto temple dedicated to T...
View shrine →
Kitano Tenmansha Shrine
—
Sugawara no MichizaneKitano Tenmansha is a Tenjin shrine dedicated to Sugawara no Michizane, the deified scholar and poli...
View shrine →
Kitano-jinja Shrine
Ibaraki
Oyasumaru okamiKitano-jinja Shrine, located in the heart of Kitano Park, is one of Japan's most renowned Shinto shr...
View shrine →
Kitanosha
Saitama
Kitanosha Shrine is a Shinto shrine located in the northern part of Tokyo, originally founded in 165...
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.