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
Nangu Shrine
Gifu
Kanayama-hiko-no-mikotoNangu Shrine in Gifu Prefecture is the head shrine of all Nangu shrines in Japan, dedicated to the d...
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Naniichi Ebisu Shrine
Nara
EbisuA local Ebisu shrine in Nara Prefecture dedicated to the deity Ebisu, one of the Seven Lucky Gods of...
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Nanpo Shrine
Kagoshima
A Shinto shrine located in Kagoshima Prefecture, part of the network of shrines serving local commun...
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Nanpo Shrine
Kagoshima
Emperor SutokuNanpo Shrine is a Shinto shrine in Kagoshima Prefecture dedicated to Emperor Sutoku, one of Japan's...
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Nanpo Shrine
Kagoshima
A Shinto shrine located in Kagoshima Prefecture, dedicated to Nanpo, a legendary figure associated w...
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Nanpo Shrine
Kagoshima
A Shinto shrine located in Kagoshima Prefecture, known for its connection to the southern regions of...
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Nanpo Shrine
Kagoshima
A Shinto shrine located in Kagoshima Prefecture, representing the southern region through its name w...
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Nanto Goryo Shrine
Nara
Spirits of deceased nobles and court officialsA historic Shinto shrine in Nara dedicated to the spirits of nobles who died in political conflicts...
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Nanyo Gokoku Shrine
Kochi
Spirits of war dead from the regionNanyo Gokoku Shrine is a Shinto shrine in Kochi Prefecture dedicated to honoring the spirits of loca...
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Nanzan Shrine
Okinawa
Nanzan Shrine is a Shinto temple located in the southernmost part of Okinawa, Japan. The shrine is d...
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Naraha Hachiman Shrine
Fukushima
Hachiman, deity of war and divine protectionA Hachiman shrine located in Naraha, Fukushima Prefecture, dedicated to the worship of Hachiman, the...
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Narimune Suga Shrine
Tokyo
NarimuneNarimune Suga Shrine is a Shinto shrine located in the historic district of Yotsuya, Tokyo. Dedicate...
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Naritafudoson
Nagano
Fudo Myo-oNaritafudoson Shrine in Nagano Prefecture is dedicated to Fudo Myo-o, a powerful Shinto deity associ...
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Naruko Tenjin
Tokyo
TenjinLocated in the heart of Tokyo, Naruko Tenjin Shrine is a revered Shinto site that honors the kami of...
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Narumoto Jinja Shrine
白山市, 石川県
Hachiman OkamiNarumoto Jinja Shrine is a Shinto temple located in the city of Kanazawa, Ishikawa Prefecture. The s...
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Ne-no-Gongen Shrine
Tochigi
TsuchiLocated in the heart of Japan's Tochigi Prefecture, Ne-no-Gongen Shrine is a serene and tranquil Shi...
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Negishi Hachiman Shrine
Kanagawa
Hachiman, deity of war and divine protectionNegishi Hachiman Shrine is a local Hachiman shrine located in Kanagawa Prefecture, dedicated to the...
View shrine →Jump to Shinto shrines across Japan — 108 prefectures in our directory.
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