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
Mikura Shrine
Kochi
Hachiman deity and local protective spiritsMikura Shrine is a Shinto shrine in Kochi Prefecture dedicated to Hachiman, the syncretic deity of w...
View shrine →
Mikuriya Shinmei Shrine
Gifu
Amaterasu OmikamiA Shinmei shrine in Gifu Prefecture dedicated to Amaterasu Omikami, the sun goddess and supreme deit...
View shrine →
Mikuriya Shrine
—
Mikuriya Shrine is a Shinto shrine whose name derives from 'mikuriya,' meaning imperial kitchen or s...
View shrine →
Mikuriya Shrine
—
Mikuriya Shrine is a Shinto shrine whose name derives from 'mikuriya,' meaning imperial kitchen or s...
View shrine →
Mikuwa Shrine
—
Deity of farming and agricultural toolsMikuwa Shrine is dedicated to agricultural deities, with particular emphasis on farming tools and cu...
View shrine →
Mikuwa Shrine
—
Deity of agriculture and farming toolsA Shinto shrine dedicated to agricultural deities, particularly those associated with farming implem...
View shrine →
Mikuwa Shrine
—
Deity of agriculture and farming toolsMikuwa Shrine is dedicated to agricultural deities, with particular reverence for the divine protect...
View shrine →
Mikuwa Shrine
Gifu
Deity of agriculture and farming toolsMikuwa Shrine is dedicated to agricultural deities and is particularly associated with farming imple...
View shrine →
Mimeguri Jinja
Ibaraki
nullMimeguri Jinja, located in Ibaraki Prefecture, is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the kami of the three...
View shrine →
Mimeguri jinja
Chiba
InariLocated in the scenic town of Narita, Chiba Prefecture, Mimeguri Jinja is a Shinto shrine dedicated...
View shrine →
Mimo Shrine
Gifu
Emperor KeitaiMimo Shrine is a Shinto shrine in Gifu Prefecture dedicated to Emperor Keitai, the 26th Emperor of J...
View shrine →
Mimusubi Shrine
Kanagawa
OkuninushiMimusubi Shrine, located in the Kamakura region of Kanagawa Prefecture, is dedicated to the Shinto g...
View shrine →
Minamata Shrine
—
Emperor Ojin (Hondawake no Mikoto)Minamata Shrine is a Hachiman shrine dedicated to Emperor Ojin and associated deities. The shrine se...
View shrine →
Minami-Mizumoto Fuji Shrine
Ibaraki
FujisamaMinami-Mizumoto Fuji Shrine, located in Ibaraki Prefecture, is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the deit...
View shrine →
Minamisawa Hikawa Shrine
Saitama
HachimanMinamisawa Hikawa Shrine is a Shinto shrine located in the town of Minamisawa, Saitama Prefecture. A...
View shrine →
Minase shrine
Kyoto
Water-no-MikotoLocated in the heart of Kyoto, Minase Shrine is a sacred site that honors the legendary emperor Kinm...
View shrine →
Minato Inari Shrine
Niigata
InariMinato Inari Shrine is a Shinto shrine located in Minato, Niigata Prefecture. Dedicated to the kami...
View shrine →
Minato Shinmeisha Shrine
—
Amaterasu OmikamiMinato Shinmeisha is a Shinmei shrine dedicated to the sun goddess Amaterasu Omikami. As indicated b...
View shrine →
Minato Shrine
亘理町, 宮城県
Kanayamata no KamiLocated in the town of Higashi-Matsushima, Miyagi Prefecture, Minato Shrine is a serene Shinto shrin...
View shrine →
Minato Shrine
Tottori
InariMinato Shrine, located in Tottori Prefecture, is dedicated to Inari Okami, the Shinto deity of rice,...
View shrine →
Minato Tsukishima Benzaiten Shrine
—
Benzaiten (goddess of water, music, and prosperity)A small shrine dedicated to Benzaiten, the Buddhist goddess who became integrated into Shinto worshi...
View shrine →
MinazumiHakusan Jinja Shrine
白山市, 石川県
nullLocated in the scenic city of Kanazawa, Ishikawa Prefecture, MinazumiHakusan Jinja Shrine is a histo...
View shrine →
Mine Inari Shrine
Tokyo
InariMine Inari Shrine is a Shinto shrine located in the heart of Setagaya, Tokyo. The shrine is famous f...
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.