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
Kumano Shrine
Miyazaki
Kumano GongenA Kumano shrine in Miyazaki Prefecture dedicated to the deities of the sacred Kumano mountains. Part...
View shrine →
Kumano Shrine
Miyazaki
Kumano Sanzan deitiesA Shinto shrine in Miyazaki Prefecture dedicated to the Kumano deities, part of the broader network...
View shrine →
Kumano Shrine
Gifu
Kumano Gongen (manifestation of Amaterasu)A local shrine dedicated to the Kumano deities, part of the widespread network of Kumano shrines fou...
View shrine →
Kumano Shrine
Gifu
Kumano Gongen (Kumano deities)A Kumano shrine in Gifu Prefecture, part of the extensive network of Kumano shrines found throughout...
View shrine →
Kumano Shrine
Gifu
Kumano Sanzan deitiesA Kumano shrine in Gifu Prefecture dedicated to the three primary deities of the Kumano faith. Like...
View shrine →
Kumano Shrine
Gifu
Kumano Gongen (Kumano deities)A Kumano shrine in Gifu Prefecture dedicated to the powerful Kumano deities. Kumano shrines are foun...
View shrine →
Kumano Shrine
Gifu
Kumano Gongen (manifestation of Amaterasu)A Kumano shrine in Gifu Prefecture dedicated to the Kumano deities, part of the widespread network o...
View shrine →
Kumano Shrine
Gifu
Kumano Sanzan deitiesA Kumano shrine in Gifu Prefecture that enshrines the three principal deities of the Kumano faith. L...
View shrine →
Kumano Shrine
Gifu
Kumano Sanzan deitiesA regional shrine dedicated to the Kumano deities, part of the widespread network of Kumano shrines...
View shrine →
Kumano Shrine
Gifu
Kumano Sanzan deitiesA Kumano shrine in Gifu Prefecture dedicated to the powerful kami of the Kumano mountains. Part of t...
View shrine →
Kumano Shrine
Ibaraki
Kumano OkamiLocated in the Ibaraki Prefecture, Kumano Shrine is a Shinto temple that honors the gods of the Kuma...
View shrine →
Kumano Shrine
Ibaraki
Kumano Shrine, located in the prefecture of Ibaraki is not a traditional location for this shrine. H...
View shrine →
Kumano Shrine
Ibaraki
Sanzan no kamiKumano Shrine, located in Ibaraki Prefecture, is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the legendary god of w...
View shrine →
KUMANO Shrine
松前町, 北海道
Susanoo-no-MikotoLocated in northern Japan's Hokkaido prefecture, Kumano Shrine is one of the oldest Shinto shrines i...
View shrine →
KUMANO Shrine
松前町, 北海道
nullLocated in the remote town of Matsue in northern Hokkaido, Kumano Shrine is a Shinto shrine dedicate...
View shrine →
Kumano Shrine
Shiga
KumamonKumano Shrine, located in Shiga Prefecture, is a revered Shinto site situated at the confluence of t...
View shrine →
Kumano Shrine
Fukuoka
TakemikazuchiKumano Shrine, located in Fukuoka Prefecture, is one of the most sacred Shinto shrines dedicated to...
View shrine →
Kumano Shrine
Chiba
KumanoLocated in Chiba Prefecture, Kumano Shrine is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the worship of the Kumano...
View shrine →
Kumano Shrine
Chiba
Located in the heart of Chiba Prefecture, Kumano Shrine is one of Japan's most revered Shinto shrine...
View shrine →
Kumano Shrine
横浜市, 神奈川県
Kumano OkamiKumano Shrine is one of Japan's most famous Shinto shrines, located in Yokohama, Kanagawa Prefecture...
View shrine →
Kumano Shrine
港区, 東京都
SusanooLocated in the heart of Minato-ku, Tokyo, Kumano Shrine is a Shinto shrine that honors the sacred sp...
View shrine →
Kumano Shrine
Gunma
Yamato no OkamiLocated in the Japanese Alps, Kumano Shrine is one of Japan's most revered Shinto shrines, dedicated...
View shrine →
Kumano Shrine
Tokyo
SusanooLocated in Tokyo, Kumano Shrine is a Shinto temple dedicated to the three main deities of the Kumano...
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.