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
Shiogama Shrine
Kagawa
Inari OkamiLocated in the city of Takamatsu, Kagawa Prefecture, Shiogama Shrine is a Shinto shrine dedicated to...
View shrine →
Shiogama Shrine
—
Shiogama DaimyojinShiogama Shrine is one of Japan's most important Shinto shrines, particularly revered for its connec...
View shrine →
Shiogama Shrine
—
Shiogama-sama (salt-making deities)Shiogama Shrine is one of the most important Shinto shrines in the Tōhoku region, serving as the ich...
View shrine →
Shiogama Shrine
Kagoshima
Shiotsuchioji-no-kamiA Shiogama shrine dedicated to the kami of salt and the sea, reflecting the importance of salt produ...
View shrine →
Shiogama Shrine
Kagoshima
Shiotsuchinooji-no-kamiShiogama Shrine is a Shinto shrine dedicated to deities associated with salt-making and maritime pro...
View shrine →
Shiogama Shrine
函館市, 北海道
EbisuLocated in Hokkaido's Oshikiri district, Shiogama Shrine is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the sea and...
View shrine →
Shiogama Shrine
Aomori
ŌishidanaShiogama Shrine, located in Aomori Prefecture, is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the god of fishing an...
View shrine →
Shiogama shrine
Hokkaido
Located in Shiogama, Aomori City, Hokkaido, Shiogama Shrine is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the sea...
View shrine →
Shiogama Shrine Ougon Shrine
Fukushima
Shiotsu-no-oji-no-kamiA Shiogama shrine in Fukushima Prefecture dedicated to the salt-making deity Shiotsu-no-oji-no-kami....
View shrine →
Shiogama-jinja Shrine
Miyagi
AmaterasuLocated in the city of Shiogama, Miyagi Prefecture, Shiogama-jinja Shrine is one of Japan's oldest a...
View shrine →
Shioi Shrine
Kumamoto
Hachiman (Emperor Ojin)Shioi Shrine is a Hachiman shrine located in Kumamoto Prefecture, dedicated to Emperor Ojin and asso...
View shrine →
Shiomi Ryugusha
Chiba
Located in the coastal town of Shirako, Shiomi Ryugusha Shrine is a revered Shinto site dedicated to...
View shrine →
Shioya Hachimangu Shrine
Kumamoto
Emperor Ojin (Hachiman)Shioya Hachimangu is a Hachiman shrine in Kumamoto Prefecture dedicated to the deified Emperor Ojin...
View shrine →
Shioya Ryugujin
Okinawa
Located in the heart of Okinawa, Shioya Ryugujin Shrine is a sacred site dedicated to the Dragon God...
View shrine →
Shioya Ryujin
Okinawa
RyujinLocated in the heart of Okinawa, Shioya Ryujin Shrine is dedicated to the revered dragon deity, Ryuj...
View shrine →
SHIRAFU DAIJINGU shrine
福島町, 北海道
Shiroishi OkamiLocated in the scenic town of Fukushima-cho, Hokkaido, Shirafu Daijingu Shrine is a Shinto temple de...
View shrine →
SHIRAFU DAIJINGU shrine
福島町, 北海道
Sugawara-no-MichizaneLocated in Hokkaido's rural landscape, Shirafu Daijingugu Shrine honors the gods of agriculture and...
View shrine →
Shiragata Otoshi Shrine
Yamaguchi
Otoshi-no-kamiA Shinto shrine in Yamaguchi Prefecture dedicated to Otoshi-no-kami, the deity of harvests and agric...
View shrine →
Shiragi Shrine
Gifu
A Shinto shrine in Gifu Prefecture with historical connections to the ancient Korean kingdom of Sill...
View shrine →
Shirahama Inari Shrine
函館市, 北海道
InariLocated in the scenic city of Hakodate on northern Japan's Hokkaido island, Shirahama Inari Shrine i...
View shrine →
Shirahata Shrine
Kanagawa
Hondawake no Mikoto (Emperor Ojin)Shirahata Shrine is a Hachiman shrine located in Kanagawa Prefecture, dedicated to the deified Emper...
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.