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
Sanpodaiko-jin Shrine
仙台市, 宮城県
Ise-Ningen no KamiSanpodaiko-jin Shrine is a Shinto temple located in Sendo, Miyagi Prefecture, dedicated to the prote...
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Sansha Daimyojin
美作市, 岡山県
Yamatsumi no Okami, Ryujin, Inari OkamiLocated in the city of Bizen, Okayama Prefecture, Sansha Daimyojin Shrine is a Shinto shrine dedicat...
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Sansha Daimyojin Shrine
Gifu
A Shinto shrine in Gifu Prefecture dedicated to three major kami, as indicated by its name 'Sansha D...
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Sanshin Gosaiden
Yamagata
nullSanshin Gosaiden is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the three gods of the Japanese Alps, Sanzan. Locate...
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Sansho Jinja
Tokushima
nullSansho Jinja, a Shinto shrine located in Tokushima Prefecture, is dedicated to the kami of three dif...
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Santai Shrine
前橋市, 群馬県
Santai Shrine, located in front of the old bridge that spans the river, is a serene Shinto sanctuary...
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Santokuinari Shrine
大田区, 東京都
InariSantokuinari Shrine, located in the heart of Tokyo's Sanada district, is a revered Shinto site dedic...
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Sapporo Fushimi Inari shrine
札幌市, 北海道
InariLocated in the heart of Sapporo, Hokkaido's largest city, Sapporo Fushimi Inari Shrine is a Shinto s...
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Sapporo Fushimi Inari shrine office
Hokkaido
The Sapporo Fushimi Inari shrine is a Shinto temple located in the heart of Sapporo, Hokkaido. Dedic...
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Sapporo Gokoku Shrine
札幌市, Hokkaido
OkuninushiLocated in the heart of Sapporo, Hokkaido's largest city, Sapporo Gokoku Shrine is a revered Shinto...
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Sarabetsu Shrine
Hokkaido
Located in the heart of Sarabetsu Village, Hokkaido, Morebetsu Shrine is a Shinto shrine dedicated t...
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Sarashina Shrine
Nagano
Located in the Japanese prefecture of Nagano, Sarashina Shrine is dedicated to the Shinto deity En n...
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Saroma Shrine
Hokkaido
Sugisaki no KamiLocated in the picturesque town of Akan, Hokkaido, Saroma Shrine is a sacred site dedicated to the w...
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Sarudahiko Shrine
Shizuoka
Saruda-hikoLocated in the city of Numazu, Shizuoka Prefecture, Sarudahiko Shrine is dedicated to the god of sak...
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Sarue Shrine
江東区, 東京都
Sarue no okamiLocated in the heart of Tokyo, Sarue Shrine is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the kami of the same nam...
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Sarugaku Shrine
Chiba
Located in the Tōshōhikari district of Chiba Prefecture, Sarugaku Shrine is dedicated to the legenda...
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Sarume Shrine
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Ame-no-Uzume-no-MikotoA Shinto shrine dedicated to Ame-no-Uzume-no-Mikoto, the goddess of dawn, mirth, and revelry who is...
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Sarutahiko Daijin Shrine
Wakayama
Sarutahiko Okami, the great guiding deityA Shinto shrine dedicated to Sarutahiko Okami, the deity of guidance, crossroads, and safe travel. S...
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Sarutahiko Daijin Shrine
Kanagawa
Sarutahiko no OkamiA shrine dedicated to Sarutahiko no Okami, the leading deity who guided Ninigi no Mikoto during his...
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Sarutahiko Daijin Shrine
Kanagawa
Sarutahiko no OkamiA shrine dedicated to Sarutahiko no Okami, the prominent kami known as the great guide deity who lea...
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Sarutahiko Jinja
Shizuoka
SarutahikoSarutahiko Jinja is a historic Shinto shrine located in the town of Iwata, Shizuoka Prefecture. The...
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Sarutahiko Shrine
Kanagawa
Sarutahiko-no-OkamiA Shinto shrine dedicated to Sarutahiko-no-Okami, the earthly kami who guided the heavenly grandson...
View shrine →Jump to Shinto shrines across Japan — 108 prefectures in our directory.
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