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
Miyake-jinja Shrine
Kyoto
Hachiman-no-OkamiMiyake-jinja Shrine is a Shinto shrine located in the town of Ukyo, Kyoto Prefecture. The shrine is...
View shrine →
Miyako Shrine
Okinawa
Ryukongu no KamiMiyako Shrine, located in the heart of Naminoue Village on Okinawa Island, is a sacred Shinto site d...
View shrine →
Miyamae Goryo Shrine
Kanagawa
Deified spirits of noble persons who died unjustlyA goryo shrine dedicated to pacifying the vengeful spirits of nobles who died under tragic circumsta...
View shrine →
Miyamasu Mitake Shrine
Chiba
Mitake no KamiLocated in the scenic town of Kamakura, Chiba Prefecture, Miyamasu Mitake Shrine is a serene Shinto...
View shrine →
Miyamichi Tenjinsha Okunoin
—
Sugawara no MichizaneMiyamichi Tenjinsha Okunoin is the inner sanctuary of Miyamichi Tenjin Shrine, dedicated to Sugawara...
View shrine →
Miyanoyosuisui Shrine
Toyama
SusanooLocated in the picturesque town of Namerikawa, Miyanoyosuisui Shrine is a Shinto shrine dedicated to...
View shrine →
Miyase Ryuo Shrine
Kochi
Dragon deity of water and rainA local shrine in Kochi Prefecture dedicated to Ryuo, the dragon king deity associated with water, r...
View shrine →
Miyatsubentengu Shrine
Hokkaido
TsuchigumoMiyatsubentengu Shrine, located in the heart of Hokkaido, is a revered Shinto site dedicated to Bent...
View shrine →
Miyauchi Shrine
Kumamoto
A local Shinto shrine located in Kumamoto Prefecture, serving the spiritual needs of the surrounding...
View shrine →
Miyauchi Shrine
奈義町, 岡山県
nullLocated in the heart of Nanyo Town, Miyaiji Temple is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the kami of the l...
View shrine →
MIYAUTA HACHIMAN shrine
福島町, 北海道
HachimanLocated in the picturesque town of Fukuroma, Hokkaido, Miyauta Hachiman Shrine is a serene Shinto sa...
View shrine →
MIYAUTA HACHIMAN shrine
福島町, 北海道
HachimanMIYAUTA HACHIMAN shrine is a Shinto shrine located in Fukushima-cho, Hokkaido, Japan. The shrine was...
View shrine →
Miyawaki-Kashima Shrine
Ibaraki
nullMiyawaki-Kashima Shrine, located in the scenic town of Kashima in Ibaraki Prefecture, is a Shinto te...
View shrine →
Miyazaki Gokoku Shrine
Miyazaki
War dead from Miyazaki PrefectureMiyazaki Gokoku Shrine is a Shinto shrine dedicated to honoring the war dead from Miyazaki Prefectur...
View shrine →
Miyazaki Hachimangu Shrine
Miyazaki
Ojin Tenno (Emperor Ojin)Miyazaki Hachimangu is a Hachiman shrine in Miyazaki Prefecture dedicated to Emperor Ojin and associ...
View shrine →
Miyazaki Shrine
Kagoshima
A Shinto shrine located in Kagoshima Prefecture, dedicated to the worship of local kami and serving...
View shrine →
Miyazaki Tenmangu Shrine
Miyazaki
Sugawara no MichizaneMiyazaki Tenmangu is a Tenjin shrine dedicated to Sugawara no Michizane, the deified scholar and pat...
View shrine →
Miyazaki Yama-no-kami
Nagano
SusanooMiyazaki Yama-no-kami is a Shinto shrine located in the mountains of Nagano Prefecture, dedicated to...
View shrine →
Miyazawa Shinmeisha Shrine
Kanagawa
Amaterasu OmikamiMiyazawa Shinmeisha is a local Shinmei shrine in Kanagawa Prefecture dedicated to Amaterasu Omikami,...
View shrine →
Miyori Daimyojin Shrine
Miyagi
DaimyojinMiyori Daimyojin Shrine, located in Miyagi Prefecture, is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the kami of p...
View shrine →
Miyoshi Hachiman Shrine
Gifu
Hachiman, god of war and divine protectionA Hachiman shrine in Gifu Prefecture dedicated to the deified Emperor Ojin and associated deities. A...
View shrine →
Miyoshi Inari Shrine
Gifu
Inari OkamiMiyoshi Inari Shrine is a local Inari shrine in Gifu Prefecture dedicated to the fox deity Inari Oka...
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.