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
Nishishinmei Shrine
Shizuoka
Nishishinmei Shrine, located in the mountains of Shizuoka Prefecture, is a lesser-known Shinto shrin...
View shrine →
Nishiura Shrine
Shiga
Nishiura Shrine, located in the heart of Lake Biwa's scenic countryside, is a serene and tranquil de...
View shrine →
Nisshi Jinja Shrine
Niigata
TamakazuchiNisshi Jinja Shrine, dedicated to the Shinto kami of daybreak and fertility, is a significant cultur...
View shrine →
Nitsuke Inari Shrine
Kanagawa
Inari OkamiA local Inari shrine in Kanagawa Prefecture dedicated to the rice and prosperity deity Inari. Like m...
View shrine →
Nitta Inari Shrine
Aomori
Nitta Inari Shrine is a Shinto shrine located in Aomori Prefecture, dedicated to the patron kami of...
View shrine →
Nitta Koroku-jinja Shrine
Ibaraki
Hara-no-nakatsukuni-no-kami, Inari OkamiNitta Koroku-jinja Shrine, located in Ibaraki Prefecture, is a Shinto temple dedicated to the god of...
View shrine →
Nitta Shrine
太田市, 群馬県
Nitta Shrine, located in the city of Taita, Gunma Prefecture, is a historic Shinto temple dedicated...
View shrine →
Nitta Shrine
大田区, Tokyo
InariNitta Shrine is a Shinto shrine located in the heart of Big Woodland, Tokyo, serving as a place of w...
View shrine →
Nitta Shrine
Kochi
Emperor Ojin and related deitiesA Shinto shrine located in Kochi Prefecture dedicated to Hachiman deities. The shrine serves the loc...
View shrine →
Nitta Shrine
Kochi
Nitta clan ancestorsA Shinto shrine located in Kochi Prefecture dedicated to the Nitta clan and their historical signifi...
View shrine →
Nitta Shrine
Kochi
A Shinto shrine located in Kochi Prefecture dedicated to the Nitta clan, particularly associated wit...
View shrine →
Nitta Shrine
Fukushima
A Shinto shrine located in Fukushima Prefecture, serving the local community as a place of worship a...
View shrine →
Nitta Shrine
Kochi
A Shinto shrine located in Kochi Prefecture dedicated to the Nitta clan, particularly honoring the l...
View shrine →
Nitta Shrine
Kochi
A Shinto shrine located in Kochi Prefecture that serves the local community as a place of worship an...
View shrine →
Niu Kariba Shrine
Wakayama
Niu Myojin (Niu deity)Niu Kariba Shrine is a Shinto shrine in Wakayama Prefecture dedicated to Niu Myojin, a local deity a...
View shrine →
Niu Shrine
Wakayama
Niu Myojin (goddess of cinnabar)Niu Shrine is dedicated to Niu Myojin, the Shinto deity associated with cinnabar (mercury sulfide),...
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.