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
Takemikazuchi Jinja Shrine
白山市, 石川県
TakemikazuchiLocated in Wakayama Prefecture, Takemikazuchi Jinja Shrine is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the god o...
View shrine →
Takemikazuchi Jinja Shrine
白山市, 石川県
TakemikazuchiTakemikazuchi Jinja Shrine, located in Wakayama City, is dedicated to the Shinto deity Takemikazuchi...
View shrine →
Takemori-jinja Shrine
Chiba
InariTakemori-jinja Shrine is a Shinto shrine located in the town of Funabashi, Chiba Prefecture. The shr...
View shrine →
Takenami Shrine
Ishikawa
HachimanLocated in the town of Yashima, Ishikawa Prefecture, Takenami Shrine is a small Shinto shrine dedica...
View shrine →
Takeo Shrine
Kochi
Yamato Takeru no MikotoTakeo Shrine is a Shinto shrine in Kochi Prefecture dedicated to the legendary prince and hero Yamat...
View shrine →
Takeo Shrine
Saga
Takeo no OkamiLocated in the heart of Saga Prefecture, Takeo Shrine is a serene Shinto temple dedicated to the kam...
View shrine →
Takese Ina Jinja
Nagano
HachimanTakese Ina Jinja, located in the Japanese prefecture of Nagano, is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the...
View shrine →
Takeshima Shrine
Kumamoto
A local Shinto shrine located in Kumamoto Prefecture, serving the spiritual needs of the surrounding...
View shrine →
Takeya Shrine
Kagoshima
A local Shinto shrine located in Kagoshima Prefecture, serving the spiritual needs of the surroundin...
View shrine →
Taki Fudo-son
Kanagawa
Fudo Myo-o (Acala)A Buddhist temple dedicated to Fudo Myo-o, the fierce protective deity associated with waterfalls an...
View shrine →
Taki Kotai Shrine
Kochi
Amaterasu OmikamiA Shinto shrine in Kochi Prefecture dedicated to Amaterasu Omikami, the sun goddess and supreme deit...
View shrine →
Taki Shrine
奈義町, 岡山県
Oyashiro-no-KamiLocated in Ōsafu, Okayama Prefecture, Taki Shrine is a historic Shinto shrine that has been an impor...
View shrine →
Taki Shrine
奈義町, 岡山県
nullTaki Shrine, located in Omitama-cho, Okayama City, is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the kami of water...
View shrine →
Takifudo Shrine
Ibaraki
nullTakifudo Shrine is a Shinto shrine located in the town of Katsurao, Ibaraki Prefecture. Dedicated to...
View shrine →
Takigawa Shrine
Kanagawa
TakigawaTakigawa Shrine, located in Kanagawa Prefecture, is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the worship of the...
View shrine →
Takihara Narabimiya
—
Amaterasu OmikamiTakihara Narabimiya is one of the remote sanctuaries (betsugu) of Ise Grand Shrine, located deep in...
View shrine →
Takihara Narabinomiya Main Hall
—
Amaterasu OmikamiTakihara Narabinomiya is one of the auxiliary shrines (betsugu) of Ise Grand Shrine, located in the...
View shrine →
Takihara-no-miya
—
Amaterasu OmikamiTakihara-no-miya is a remote sanctuary of Ise Grand Shrine located in the mountains of Mie Prefectur...
View shrine →
Takihara-no-miya Main Hall
—
Amaterasu OmikamiTakihara-no-miya is one of the auxiliary shrines (betsugu) of Ise Grand Shrine, located in the mount...
View shrine →
Takikura Shrine
Nara
Local protective deitiesTakikura Shrine is a local Shinto shrine located in Nara Prefecture, serving as a community spiritua...
View shrine →
Takimiya Shrine
Hiroshima
A Shinto shrine located in Hiroshima Prefecture, known for its association with water deities and na...
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.