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
Shibaoka Shrine
Kanagawa
HachimanLocated in the city of Kanagawa, Shibaoka Shrine is a small yet serene Shinto temple dedicated to th...
View shrine →
Tokushima
Inari OkamiLocated in the scenic town of Kotohira, Tokushima Prefecture, Shibaori Shrine is a hidden gem nestle...
View shrine →
Shibararematsu
川崎市, 神奈川県
Located in Kawasaki City, Kanagawa Prefecture, Shibararematsu Shrine is a small Shinto shrine dedica...
View shrine →
Shibetsu shrine
Hokkaido
Located on the northernmost tip of Hokkaido, Shibetsu Shrine is a Shinto shrine that offers breathta...
View shrine →
Shichifuku Inari-jinja Shrine
Ibaraki
Inari OkamiLocated in the city of Hitachi-ozuka, Ibaraki Prefecture, Shichifuku Inari-jinja Shrine is a Shinto...
View shrine →
Shichisha Hachiman-gu Shrine
Okayama
Hachiman TenjinLocated in the city of Kurashiki, Okayama Prefecture, Shichisha Hachiman-gu Shrine is a historic Shi...
View shrine →
Shichisho Shrine
—
Shichisho Shrine is a Shinto shrine whose name means 'Seven Places Shrine,' typically indicating a s...
View shrine →
Shiga Shrine
Kumamoto
Sea deity worshipShiga Shrine is a Shinto shrine in Kumamoto Prefecture dedicated to sea deities. The shrine serves t...
View shrine →
Fukuoka
Located in the heart of Fukuoka Prefecture, Shigeuujisama Shrine is a serene oasis that embodies the...
View shrine →
shigeyukiinari Shrine
大田区, 東京都
InariLocated in the heart of Big Wood Park, Shigeyuki Inari Shrine is a tranquil oasis in the bustling ci...
View shrine →
Shiio Shrine
Kyoto
Inari OkamiLocated in the heart of Kyoto, Shiio Shrine is dedicated to the enshrined deity Inari Okami. This Sh...
View shrine →
Shika Shrine
Saga
Inari OkamiLocated in the city of Karatsu, Saga Prefecture, Shika Shrine is a Shinto temple dedicated to Inari...
View shrine →
Shikina-gu Shrine
那覇市, 沖縄県
Located in Naha City, Okinawa Prefecture, Shikina-gu Shrine is a Ryukyu-style Shinto shrine dedicate...
View shrine →
Shikishima Jinja Shrine
Saitama
nullLocated in Saitama Prefecture, Shikishima Jinja Shrine is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the kami (spi...
View shrine →
Shikobuchi Shrine
京都市, 京都府
Located in the heart of Kyoto, Shikobuchi Shrine is a tranquil oasis that has been revered by locals...
View shrine →
Shima Hikawa Shrine
Ibaraki
HachimanLocated in the scenic town of Kaiwa, Ibaraki Prefecture, Shima Hikawa Shrine is a serene Shinto oasi...
View shrine →
Shimakawa Inari Shrine
Gifu
Inari OkamiA local Inari shrine in Gifu Prefecture dedicated to Inari Okami, the Shinto deity of rice, fertilit...
View shrine →
Shimako Hachimangu Shrine
Kumamoto
Emperor Ojin (Hachiman no Kami)Shimako Hachimangu is a Hachiman shrine located in Kumamoto Prefecture dedicated to the deified Empe...
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.