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
Wamonosho Inari Shrine
Shizuoka
Located in the town of Okitsu, Shizuoka Prefecture, Wamonosho Inari Shrine is a small yet significan...
View shrine →
Wanishimo Shrine
Nara
Emperor Ojin and associated deitiesWanishimo Shrine is a historic Shinto shrine located in Tenri, Nara Prefecture, situated in the anci...
View shrine →
Waraten Shrine
Shiga
ŌkuninomiyaLocated in the town of Yashima, Waraten Shrine is a historic Shinto temple dedicated to the kami of...
View shrine →
Warei Shrine
Kochi
Yamashiro-no-kami HidemuneWarei Shrine is dedicated to Yamashiro-no-kami Hidemune, a retainer of the Todo clan who died unjust...
View shrine →
Warei Shrine
Kochi
Yamauchi KazutoyoA Shinto shrine in Kochi Prefecture dedicated to Yamauchi Kazutoyo, the first daimyo of Tosa Domain....
View shrine →
Washi Shrine
Ibaraki
Ōkuninushi, Ninigi-no-kamiWashi Shrine, located in the coastal town of Minato, Ibaraki Prefecture, is a Shinto shrine dedicate...
View shrine →
Ibaraki
WashiWashi Shrine, located in Ibaraki Prefecture, is a Shinto temple dedicated to the kami of the same na...
View shrine →
Washinomiya Shrine
Tochigi
Susanoo-no-MikotoLocated in the city of Utsunomiya, Tochigi Prefecture, Washinomiya Shrine is a prominent Shinto shri...
View shrine →
Washinomiya Shrine
Saitama
Amaterasu OmikamiLocated in the heart of Sakura, Saitama, Washinomiya Shrine is one of Japan's most revered Shinto sh...
View shrine →
Washitori Shrine
—
A local Shinto shrine that serves the spiritual needs of its community, maintaining traditional prac...
View shrine →
Watatsu Shrine
Kochi
Watatsumi no KamiA Shinto shrine in Kochi Prefecture dedicated to Watatsumi no Kami, the ancient Japanese sea deity....
View shrine →
Watatsu-mi Shrine
Kochi
Watatsumi-no-Kami (sea deity)A Shinto shrine in Kochi Prefecture dedicated to Watatsumi-no-Kami, the ancient Japanese sea deity....
View shrine →
Watatsumi Shrine
—
Watatsumi-no-Kami (sea deity)Watatsumi Shrine is dedicated to Watatsumi-no-Kami, the powerful Shinto deity of the sea and ocean w...
View shrine →
Watatsumi Shrine
Nagasaki
WatatsumiWatatsumi Shrine, located in Nagasaki Prefecture, is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the sea god Watats...
View shrine →
Watatsumi Shrine
Fukuoka
Susanoo no MikotoWatatsumi Shrine, located in Fukuoka Prefecture, is dedicated to the kami of the sea and storms. The...
View shrine →
Watatsumi Shrine (Ryuoguu)
Kochi
Watatsumi-no-Kami (sea deity)A shrine dedicated to Watatsumi-no-Kami, the Shinto deity of the sea. Also known as Ryuoguu (Dragon...
View shrine →
Watatsuumi Shrine
Kochi
Watatsumi-no-kami (sea deity)A Shinto shrine in Kochi Prefecture dedicated to Watatsumi-no-kami, the ancient Japanese deity of th...
View shrine →
Watatumi Shrine
Oita
Watatsumi-no-kami (sea deity)A Shinto shrine in Oita Prefecture dedicated to Watatsumi-no-kami, the powerful sea deity of Japanes...
View shrine →
Watauchi Hie Shrine
Kanagawa
Oyamakui-no-KamiWatauchi Hie Shrine is a local Shinto shrine in Kanagawa Prefecture dedicated to Oyamakui-no-Kami, t...
View shrine →
White Fox Shrine
Shiga
InariLocated in the city of Nagahama, Shiga Prefecture, White Fox Shrine is a Shinto shrine dedicated to...
View shrine →
White Snake Shrine
Hiroshima
White snake deityA Shinto shrine dedicated to the veneration of white snakes, which are considered sacred messengers...
View shrine →
Wish-fulfilling stone
Hokkaido
RaijinThe Wish-fulfilling stone, located in Hokkaido, is a humble Shinto shrine that dates back to the Edo...
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.