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
Shimane
HozumiLocated in the town of Matsue, Shimane Prefecture, 折目胡子神社 is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the...
View shrine →
Shimane
Inari OkamiCoizaka Shrine, located in Iwami region of Shimane Prefecture, is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the g...
View shrine →
Shimane
HachimanTrue Henyama Shrine, located in the town of Matsue in Shimane Prefecture, is a revered Shinto site t...
View shrine →
Shimane
Yokawa no KamiLocated in the town of Yasugi, Shimane Prefecture, Yokawa no Kami-jinja is a Shinto shrine dedicated...
View shrine →
Shimane
Long HamonLonghamon Shrine is a Shinto shrine located in the city of Matsue, Shimane Prefecture. Dedicated to...
View shrine →
Shimane
HachimanLocated in the scenic Shimane Prefecture,太鼓谷稲成神社 is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the rice-giv...
View shrine →
Shimane
InariLocated in the scenic Iwami region of Shimane Prefecture, 空鞘稲生神社 (Karakusa Ichibutsu Shrine) i...
View shrine →
Shimane
Multiple deities from the Izumo regionThe multiple shrines of Matsue, Shimane Prefecture, are famous for their unique architecture and con...
View shrine →
Shimane
HikoLocated on the coast of Shimane Prefecture, Mount Fuji's lesser-known peak, Mount White Beach Shrine...
View shrine →
Shimane
Shitatsu-ura no okamiLocated in the Shimane Prefecture, Shitatsu-ura Shrine is a Shinto shrine dedicated to Shitatsu-ura...
View shrine →
Shimane
Fukusei no KamiLocated in the scenic town of Matsue, Shimane Prefecture, Iwakura Shrine is a Shinto shrine dedicate...
View shrine →
Shimane
Ara no KagamiLocated in the heart of Shimane Prefecture, Ara no Kagami-sha Shrine is a serene Shinto sanctuary de...
View shrine →
Shimane
Amaterasu and SusanooReshū-jiji Shrine in Shimane Prefecture is dedicated to the sun goddess Amaterasu and the storm god...
View shrine →
Shimane
Katsuo-no-kamiLocated in the city of Masuda, Shimane Prefecture, the Katsuo- no-kami Shinto shrine is dedicated to...
View shrine →
Shimane
Inari OkamiLocated in the scenic town of Matsue, Shimane Prefecture, the Chitanda Shrine is dedicated to the Sh...
View shrine →
Shimane
Torikami Shrine, located in the town of Hikawa, Shimane Prefecture, is a Shinto shrine dedicated to...
View shrine →
Shimane
AmaterasuLocated in the town of Matsue in Shimane Prefecture, Matsue-jinja Shrine is one of Japan's oldest an...
View shrine →
Shimane
InariLocated in the scenic town of Matsue, Ichi no Tani Shrine is a Shinto shrine dedicated to Inari Okam...
View shrine →
Shimane
TsukiyomiLocated in the town of Iwai, Shimane Prefecture, 十軒屋稲生神社 is a Shinto shrine dedicated to Tsuk...
View shrine →
Shimane
Inasa Nagato no OkamiLocated in the scenic town of Yuita, Shimane Prefecture, the Yuijima Inasa Shrine is a Shinto shrine...
View shrine →
Shimane
Ne no Okami-hime邇保姫神社, located in the Iwami region of Shimane Prefecture, is dedicated to the Shinto goddess Ne...
View shrine →
Shimane
HachimanThe Otonoshima Hachiman Shrine, located in Shimane Prefecture, is dedicated to the Shinto deity Hach...
View shrine →
Shimane
Hatsu-hisuChinze-Husu Shrine in Shimane Prefecture is dedicated to the kami Hatsu-hisu, associated with fertil...
View shrine →
Shimane
SusanohimeThis Shinto shrine, dedicated to the goddess Susanohime (杉姫 in Japanese), is located in the town o...
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.