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
Suwa Taisha Kamisha Honmiya Sanshuden
Nagano
Amaterasu ŌmikamiLocated in the Japanese prefecture of Nagano, Suwa Taisha Kamisha Honmiya Sanshuden is one of Japan'...
View shrine →
Suwa Taisha Kamisha Maemiya
Nagano
SusanooLocated in the Japanese Alps of Nagano Prefecture, Suwa Taisha Kamisha Maemiya is one of Japan's mos...
View shrine →
Suwa Taisha Shimosha Akimiya
Nagano
SusanooSuwa Taisha Shimosha Akimiya is one of Japan's most ancient and revered shrines, located in the hear...
View shrine →
Suwa-jinja
Nagasaki
nullSuwa-jinja Shrine is a Shinto shrine located in Nagasaki, Japan, dedicated to the kami of Suwa-no-ka...
View shrine →
Suwa-jinja Shrine
Osaka
SuwamikoSuwa-jinja Shrine is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the kami of the same name, located in Osaka. The s...
View shrine →
Suwa-jinja Shrine
Yamanashi
Suwa no OkamiSuwa-jinja Shrine is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the kami of the same name, revered in Japanese myt...
View shrine →
Suwa-jinja Shrine
Chiba
Inari OkamiSuwa-jinja Shrine is a Shinto shrine located in the town of Nisina, Chiba Prefecture. The shrine is...
View shrine →
Suwa-jinja Shrine
Ibaraki
Suwa-no-kamisato-mikoSuwa-jinja Shrine is a Shinto shrine located in Ibaraki Prefecture, dedicated to the worship of the...
View shrine →
Suwa-jinja Shrine
市川市, 千葉県
Suwa-no-okamiSuwa-jinja Shrine is a Shinto shrine located in Itakura, Chiba Prefecture, dedicated to the god of f...
View shrine →
suwajinja
Yamanashi
nullSuwajinja Shrine, located in Yamanashi Prefecture, is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the kami of the f...
View shrine →
Suwasha
Nagano
Suwasha Shrine, located in the picturesque town of Kiso, Nagano Prefecture, is a sacred site dedicat...
View shrine →
Suyama Sengen Shrine
Yamanashi
SengenSuyama Sengen Shrine is a Shinto shrine located in the mountains of Yamanashi Prefecture, dedicated...
View shrine →
Suyasono Sugawara Shrine
Kumamoto
Sugawara no MichizaneA Tenjin shrine in Kumamoto Prefecture dedicated to Sugawara no Michizane, the deified scholar and p...
View shrine →
Suyaura Shrine
Shimane
InariLocated in the scenic town of Ubono, Suyaura Shrine is a serene Shinto temple dedicated to the worsh...
View shrine →
Suzu no Omae Shrine
Gifu
A Shinto shrine located in Gifu Prefecture, known for its connection to bell-related rituals and cer...
View shrine →
Suzuki Inari Jinja
Saitama
InariSuzuki Inari Jinja, located in the heart of Saitama Prefecture, is a revered Shinto shrine dedicated...
View shrine →
Suzuki Santayu Reido
Kanagawa
A memorial hall dedicated to Suzuki Santayu, likely commemorating a local historical figure or benef...
View shrine →
Suzume-jinja
Tochigi
nullLocated in the town of Sano, Tochigi Prefecture, Suzume-jinja is a Shinto shrine dedicated to Suzume...
View shrine →
Swabe Shrine
Shizuoka
OkuninushiLocated in the Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park, Swabe Shrine is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the kami...
View shrine →
Swabe Taisha Shrine
Shizuoka
Swabe Taisha Shrine, located in the heart of Shizuoka Prefecture, is one of Japan's most revered shr...
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.