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
Suehiro Hachiman Shrine
—
Hachiman (God of War and Divine Protection)A Hachiman shrine dedicated to the deified Emperor Ojin and associated deities. Hachiman shrines are...
View shrine →
Suehiro Inari Shrine
Yamaguchi
Inari OkamiSuehiro Inari Shrine is a local Inari shrine in Yamaguchi Prefecture dedicated to the fox deity Inar...
View shrine →
Suehiro Inari Shrine
Gifu
Inari OkamiSuehiro Inari Shrine is a local Inari shrine in Gifu Prefecture dedicated to the rice and prosperity...
View shrine →
Suehiro Shrine
Chiba
Located in the town of Katsuta, Chiba Prefecture, Suehiro Shrine is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the...
View shrine →
Suenobu Jinja Shrine
能美市, 石川県
Suenobu-no-okamiSuenobu Jinja Shrine is a Shinto shrine located in the city of Katsuragawa, Ishikawa Prefecture, but...
View shrine →
Sueyoshi-gū
那覇市, 沖縄県
Inari OkamiSueyoshi-gū Shrine, located in Naha City, Okinawa Prefecture, is a historic Shinto shrine dedicated...
View shrine →
Suga Jinja
Miyagi
Suga Jinja, located in the heart of Miyagi Prefecture, is a historic Shinto shrine dedicated to the...
View shrine →
Suga Jinja
Miyagi
Tsukiyomi-gamiLocated in the city of Sendai, Miyagi Prefecture, Suga Jinja is a historic Shinto shrine dedicated t...
View shrine →
Suga Jinja
Miyagi
Amaterasu OmikamiSuga Jinja, located in the city of Matsushima, Miyagi Prefecture, is a Shinto shrine dedicated to th...
View shrine →
Suga Jinja
Miyagi
Fujin, RaijinSuga Jinja is a Shinto shrine located in Miyagi Prefecture, dedicated to the protection and prosperi...
View shrine →
Suga Jinja
Miyagi
Tsukuyomi OkamiSuga Jinja Shrine is a Shinto shrine located in the town of Shibata, Miyagi Prefecture. Dedicated to...
View shrine →
Suga Jinja Shrine
新宿区, 東京都
Sugawa OkamiLocated in the heart of Tokyo's Shibuya ward, Suga Jinja Shrine is a serene oasis amidst the bustlin...
View shrine →
Suga Shrine
Hiroshima
Susanoo-no-MikotoSuga Shrine is a Shinto shrine in Hiroshima Prefecture dedicated to Susanoo-no-Mikoto, the storm god...
View shrine →
Suga Shrine
Gifu
Susa-no-O no MikotoSuga Shrine is a Shinto shrine in Gifu Prefecture dedicated to Susa-no-O no Mikoto, the storm god an...
View shrine →
Suga Shrine
Yamaguchi
Susanoo-no-MikotoSuga Shrine is a Shinto shrine in Yamaguchi Prefecture dedicated to Susanoo-no-Mikoto, the storm god...
View shrine →
Suga Shrine
Gifu
Susanoo-no-MikotoSuga Shrine is a Shinto shrine dedicated to Susanoo-no-Mikoto, the storm god and younger brother of...
View shrine →
Suga Shrine
Fukuoka
HachimanSuga Shrine is a Shinto shrine located in the city of Soga, Fukuoka Prefecture, and is dedicated to...
View shrine →
Suga Shrine
Ibaraki
ŌkamiSuga Shrine, located in the town of Daigo in Ibaraki Prefecture, is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the...
View shrine →
Suga Shrine
Kyoto
Suga Shrine, located in the Kyoto Prefecture, is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the kami of the Suga R...
View shrine →
Suga-jinja Shrine
Ibaraki
Soga-no-OkamiSuga-jinja Shrine is a Shinto shrine located in the town of Ashikaga, Ibaraki Prefecture. The shrine...
View shrine →
Sugafune Shrine
Fukushima
Sugawara no MichizaneSugafune Shrine is a Tenjin shrine in Fukushima Prefecture dedicated to Sugawara no Michizane, the d...
View shrine →
Sugao Shrine
—
Sugawara no MichizaneSugao Shrine is a Shinto shrine dedicated to Sugawara no Michizane, the deified scholar and politici...
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.