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
Otagisya
Shiga
Amaterasu OmikamiLocated in the city of Omi, Shiga Prefecture, Otagisya Shrine is dedicated to the worship of Amatera...
View shrine →
Otahime Shrine
千代田区, 東京都
nullLocated in the heart of Tokyo's Chiyoda ward, Otahime Shrine is a revered Shinto site dedicated to P...
View shrine →
Ōtakayama Jinja
Miyagi
InariŌtakayama Jinja is a Shinto shrine located in the hills above the town of Aoba, Miyagi Prefecture. D...
View shrine →
Otake Shrine
Kochi
A Shinto shrine located in Kochi Prefecture, dedicated to local spiritual protection and community w...
View shrine →
Otate Hachimangu Shrine
新潟市, 新潟県
HachimanOtate Hachimangu Shrine is a Shinto shrine located in the heart of New Chitose Airport's city, New C...
View shrine →
Otayama Shrine
Hokkaido
OtayamaOtayama Shrine, located in Hokkaido, is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the worship of the kami of the...
View shrine →
Ote Shrine
Gifu
Ote Shrine is a Shinto shrine located in Gifu Prefecture, serving as a local spiritual center for th...
View shrine →
Oto Shrine
Tokyo
ŌtoOto Shrine, located in the heart of Tokyo's Setagaya Ward, is a historic Shinto temple dedicated to...
View shrine →
Otomiya Shrine
Kumamoto
A Shinto shrine located in Kumamoto Prefecture, serving as an important local spiritual center for t...
View shrine →
Otonashi Shrine
Kochi
A Shinto shrine located in Kochi Prefecture that serves the local community with traditional worship...
View shrine →
Otori Shrine
Kanagawa
Yamato Takeru no MikotoOtori Shrine is a Shinto shrine dedicated to Yamato Takeru no Mikoto, the legendary prince known for...
View shrine →
Otori Shrine
Ibaraki
Otori-OkamiOtori Shrine, located in the scenic coastal town of Iwaki, Ibaraki Prefecture, is dedicated to the S...
View shrine →
Otori Shrine
台東区, 東京都
Ōtori-no-MikotoOtori Shrine is a Shinto shrine located in the Tsukiji district of Tokyo's Adachi ward, but has move...
View shrine →
Otori Taisha Shrine
大阪市, 大阪府
Susanoo-no-MikotoLocated in Osaka city, Otori Taisha Shrine is one of Japan's oldest and most revered Shinto shrines....
View shrine →
Otori-jinja Shrine
目黒区, 東京都
Located in the heart of Shimokitazawa, Otori-jinja Shrine is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the kami T...
View shrine →
Otori-jinja Shrine
Ibaraki
Otori-no-MikotoLocated in the town of Sakurako, Ibaraki Prefecture, Otori-jinja Shrine is a Shinto shrine dedicated...
View shrine →
Ōtoshi shrine
Kyoto
Otoshichi OkamiŌtoshi Shrine is a Shinto shrine located in Kyoto, dedicated to the god of longevity and good fortun...
View shrine →
Otoshi Shrine
Yamaguchi
Otoshi-no-kamiA Shinto shrine in Yamaguchi Prefecture dedicated to Otoshi-no-kami, the deity of harvest and agricu...
View shrine →
Ōtoshi shrine
Hyogo
Kabanezuka-no-KamiŌtoshi Shrine is a Shinto shrine located in Kobe, Hyogo Prefecture, dedicated to the kami of prosper...
View shrine →
Ōtoshi shrine
Hyogo
Ōtoshi Shrine, located in the city of Akashi in Hyogo Prefecture, is dedicated to the kami of longev...
View shrine →
Ōtoshi shrine
Hyogo
YakamochiŌtoshi Shrine is a Shinto shrine located in Hyogo Prefecture, dedicated to the enshrinement of the k...
View shrine →
Ōtoshi shrine
Hyogo
Ōtoshi no KamiŌtoshi Shrine, located in Hyogo Prefecture, is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the god of longevity and...
View shrine →
Ōtoshi shrine
Hyogo
Ōtoshi Shrine, located in Hyogo Prefecture, is dedicated to the kami of longevity and prosperity. Th...
View shrine →
Ōtoshi shrine
Hyogo
Ōtoshi Shrine, located in Hyogo Prefecture, is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the kami of good luck an...
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.