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
Nishiichinakaena Shrine
大田区, 東京都
Nishiichinakaena Shrine is a Shinto shrine located in the Koto Ward of Tokyo, Japan. Dedicated to Te...
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Nishikanta Shrine
Oita
A historic Shinto shrine located in Oita Prefecture, known for its ancient origins and connection to...
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Nishikawa Shinmeisha Shrine
Gifu
Amaterasu OmikamiNishikawa Shinmeisha is a Shinmei shrine in Gifu Prefecture dedicated to Amaterasu Omikami, the sun...
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Nishiki Tenman Shrine
Shiga
Tenman OkamiNishiki Tenman Shrine, located in Shiga Prefecture, is dedicated to the deity Tenman Okami, revered...
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Nishikura Shrine
Hokkaido
nullLocated in the scenic town of Shiroishi, Hokkaido's second-largest city, Nishikura Shrine is a rever...
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Nishimachi Inari Hall
Gifu
Inari OkamiA local Inari shrine hall located in the Nishimachi (West Town) district of Gifu Prefecture. As an I...
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Nishimachi Inari Shrine
Kanagawa
Inari OkamiA local Inari shrine located in Kanagawa Prefecture, dedicated to the Shinto deity of rice, prosperi...
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Nishimachi Shrine
Gifu
A local community shrine serving the western district of its town, typical of neighborhood shrines t...
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Nishimori Inari Taisha
Kanagawa
Inari OkamiNishimori Inari Taisha is a Shinto shrine in Kanagawa Prefecture dedicated to Inari Okami, the kami...
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Chiba
InariLocated in the heart of Chiba Prefecture, Nishimuki Tenjinsha Shrine is a revered Shinto site dedica...
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Nishinaka Shinmei Shrine
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Amaterasu OmikamiNishinaka Shinmei Shrine is a local Shinmei shrine dedicated to the sun goddess Amaterasu Omikami. L...
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Nishinaka Shrine
大田区, 東京都
Nishinaka no KamiNishinaka Shrine, located in the heart of Tokyo's Big Wood district, is a historic Shinto shrine ded...
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Nishinami Tenjin Shrine
Nara
Sugawara no MichizaneNishinami Tenjin Shrine is a local Tenjin shrine in Nara Prefecture dedicated to Sugawara no Michiza...
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Nishino Hachiman Shrine
Wakayama
Hachiman, god of war and divine protectionNishino Hachiman Shrine is a local Hachiman shrine in Wakayama Prefecture dedicated to the deified E...
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Nishino Shrine
札幌市, 北海道
nullNishino Shrine is a Shinto shrine located in the heart of Sapporo, the largest city in Hokkaido. The...
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Nishinokuchi Shinmei Shrine
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Amaterasu OmikamiA Shinmei shrine dedicated to Amaterasu Omikami, the sun goddess and principal deity of the Shinto p...
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Nishinomiya Shrine
Kumamoto
Ebisu (deity of fishing, luck, and prosperity)Nishinomiya Shrine in Kumamoto Prefecture is dedicated to Ebisu, one of the Seven Lucky Gods in Japa...
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Nishinomiya Shrine
西宮市, 兵庫県
SusanowoLocated in the city of West Miyagi, Nishinomiya Shrine has a long history dating back to the Heian p...
View shrine →Jump to Shinto shrines across Japan — 108 prefectures in our directory.
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