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
Kotohira Shrine
Kumamoto
Ōmononushi no KamiKotohira Shrine is a Shinto shrine in Kumamoto Prefecture dedicated to Ōmononushi no Kami, the deity...
View shrine →
Kotohira Shrine
Kumamoto
Ōmononushi-no-kamiA Kotohira shrine in Kumamoto Prefecture dedicated to Ōmononushi-no-kami, the protective deity of se...
View shrine →
Kotohira Shrine
Kumamoto
Ōmononushi-no-kamiA Kotohira shrine in Kumamoto Prefecture dedicated to the deity of seafaring, prosperity, and good f...
View shrine →
Kotohira Shrine
Kumamoto
Ōmononushi-no-KamiKotohira Shrine in Kumamoto Prefecture is dedicated to Ōmononushi-no-Kami and follows the Kotohira t...
View shrine →
Kotohira Shrine
Kochi
ŌmononushiA major Shinto shrine dedicated to Ōmononushi, widely revered as the protector of seafarers, fisherm...
View shrine →
Kotohira Shrine
Gifu
Ōmononushi-no-kamiA Kotohira shrine in Gifu Prefecture dedicated to Ōmononushi-no-kami, the primary deity of the Kotoh...
View shrine →
Kotohira Shrine
—
Ōmononushi-no-kamiKotohira Shrine is dedicated to Ōmononushi-no-kami, a deity associated with safe travel, maritime pr...
View shrine →
Kotohira Shrine
—
Ōmononushi-no-KamiKotohira Shrine is dedicated to Ōmononushi-no-Kami, a deity associated with safe travel, maritime pr...
View shrine →
Kotohira Shrine
—
Ōmononushi-no-MikotoKotohira Shrine is dedicated to Ōmononushi-no-Mikoto, a deity associated with sea protection, safe t...
View shrine →
Kotohira Shrine
Kagawa
HachimanKotohira Shrine, located in Kagawa Prefecture, is one of the most famous Shinto shrines in Japan. De...
View shrine →
Kotohira Shrine
Tochigi
HachimanKotohira Shrine is one of Japan's most revered Shinto shrines, dedicated to the kami Hachiman. Locat...
View shrine →
Kotohira Shrine
Shizuoka
Inari OkamiKotohira Shrine, located in Shizuoka Prefecture, is one of Japan's most famous Shinto shrines and a...
View shrine →
Kotohira Shrine
函館市, 北海道
OkuninushiLocated in Hokkaido, Kotohira Shrine is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the kami of learning and wisdom...
View shrine →
Kotohira Shrine
琴平町, 香川県
HachimanKotohira Shrine, located in the scenic town of Kotohira in Kagawa Prefecture, is one of Japan's most...
View shrine →
Kotohira Shrine
Chiba
Inari OkamiKotohira Shrine, located in Chiba Prefecture, is one of Japan's oldest and most revered Shinto shrin...
View shrine →
Kotohira-gu Shrine
Kumamoto
Okuninushi-no-mikotoA Kotohira shrine in Kumamoto Prefecture dedicated to Okuninushi-no-mikoto, the deity of nation-buil...
View shrine →
Kotohira-gū Shrine
Chiba
Omonagi-no-KamiLocated in the city of Mie, Kotohira-gū Shrine is one of Japan's most famous Shinto shrines, attract...
View shrine →
Kotohiragu Shrine
Chiba
KotohiraguLocated in the Chiba Prefecture, Kotohiragu Shrine is a Shinto site dedicated to the god of agricult...
View shrine →
Kotohiragu Shrine
Okinawa
KotohiraguKotohiragu Shrine is a Shinto shrine located in the heart of Naha, Okinawa's capital city. Dedicated...
View shrine →
Kotosaki Hachimangu Shrine
Yamaguchi
Emperor Ojin (Hachiman)Kotosaki Hachimangu is a prominent Hachiman shrine located in Ube City, Yamaguchi Prefecture. The sh...
View shrine →
Kotoshironushi Shrine
君津市, 千葉県
KotoshironushiKotoshironushi Shrine is a Shinto shrine located in Kinu City, Chiba Prefecture, dedicated to the ka...
View shrine →
Kotoshironushi Shrine
Kagoshima
Kotoshironushi-no-KamiA Shinto shrine dedicated to Kotoshironushi-no-Kami, a deity associated with oracles, fishing, and c...
View shrine →
kotoshironushi-jinja
Tokushima
Kotoshirō-no-MuchiLocated in the heart of Tokushima Prefecture, Kotoshiro-no-muchi-jinja is a Shinto shrine dedicated...
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.