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
Ushikura Shrine
Uenohara, Tokyo
nullUshikura Shrine, located in the scenic town of Uenohara in western Tokyo, is a serene Shinto site de...
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Ushitora Shrine
Shimane
InariUshitora Shrine, located in the town of Matsue in Shimane Prefecture, is a Shinto shrine dedicated t...
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Utaki of Amasui-ryu-omikami God
Okinawa
The Utaki of Amasui-ryu-omikami God is a Shinto shrine located in Okinawa, Japan, known for its uniq...
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Utarashi Shrine
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Ujigami (local protective deity)Utarashi Shrine is a local Shinto shrine that serves as an ujigami shrine for its community. The nam...
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Utasu Jinja Shrine
Ishikawa
HachimanUtatsu Jinja Shrine is a Shinto shrine located in the city of Kanazawa, Ishikawa Prefecture, and has...
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Utinchiji
Okinawa
Ryukyu RyujinUtinchiji Shrine, located in Okinawa, is dedicated to the Shinto deity of the sea, Ryukyu Ryujin. Th...
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Uto Shrine
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Uto Shrine is a Shinto shrine whose name incorporates the character for rabbit (兎), suggesting poss...
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Utou shrine
Aomori
SugisakimaruLocated in the city of Aomori, Japan, Utou Shrine is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the kami, Sugisaki...
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Utousaka Hayashi Inari Shrine
Kanagawa
Inari OkamiA local Inari shrine located in Kanagawa Prefecture, dedicated to the kami of rice, sake, and prospe...
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Utsunomiya Shrine
Kochi
Ojin Tenno and Empress JinguUtsunomiya Shrine is a Hachiman shrine located in Kochi Prefecture, dedicated to Emperor Ojin and Em...
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Uzume Daikyokai
Nara
Ame-no-Uzume-no-MikotoUzume Daikyokai is a Shinto religious organization affiliated with Shinto Taikyo, one of the major S...
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Wabuchi Jinja
Miyagi
Fujin RyujinWabuchi Jinja is a Shinto shrine located in the town of Kesennuma, Miyagi Prefecture, known for its...
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Wada Inari Daimyojin Shrine
Kanagawa
Inari OkamiWada Inari Daimyojin is a local Inari shrine in Kanagawa Prefecture dedicated to Inari Okami, the Sh...
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Wada Suwa Shrine
Nagano
Suwa-no-mayori-woWada Suwa Shrine is a Shinto shrine located in the town of Matsumoto, Nagano Prefecture, dedicated t...
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Wadahama Benzaiten Shrine
Shizuoka
BenzaitenWadahama Benzaiten Shrine is a Shinto temple dedicated to the goddess of music, arts, and prosperity...
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Wadatsumi-no-miya-Taisha
Kanagawa
Wadatsumi no KamiWadatsumi-no-miya-Taisha is a Shinto shrine located in Kanagawa Prefecture, dedicated to the god of...
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Waga Jinja
Miyagi
Inari OkamiLocated in the scenic Miyagi Prefecture, Ando Shrine is dedicated to the Shinto deity Inari Okami, r...
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Wago Kumanosha
Nagano
Oshio HachimanWago Kumanosha Shrine, located in the mountains of Nagano Prefecture, is dedicated to the kami of Mo...
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Wakabayashi Inari Shrine
Tokyo
InariWakabayashi Inari Shrine is a Shinto shrine located in the heart of Setagaya, Tokyo, dedicated to th...
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Wakabayashi Jinja
Miyagi
RyujinLocated in the heart of Sendai, Miyagi Prefecture, Wakabayashi Jinja is a revered Shinto shrine dedi...
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Wakabayashi Tenmangu Shrine
Tokyo
Sugawara no MichizaneLocated in the heart of Tokyo, Wakabayashi Tenmangu Shrine is a revered Shinto site dedicated to the...
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Wakahachimangu
Fukuoka
Located in Fukuoka, Wakahachimangu Shrine is a Shinto temple dedicated to the god Hachiman, patron d...
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Wakaichi Ojigū Shrine
Kochi
Wakaichi ŌjiA Kumano-affiliated shrine in Kochi Prefecture dedicated to Wakaichi Ōji, one of the subsidiary deit...
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Wakaichi Shrine
Kochi
Kumano deitiesA Shinto shrine in Kochi Prefecture dedicated to the Kumano deities. The name 'Wakaichi' suggests it...
View shrine →Jump to Shinto shrines across Japan — 108 prefectures in our directory.
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