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
Yasumiya-jinja Shrine
Nagano
Yasumiya-jinja Shrine, located in the mountains of Nagano Prefecture, is a lesser-known Shinto site...
View shrine →
Yataka Inari Jinja
Nagano
Inari OkamiYataka Inari Jinja is a Shinto shrine located in the Japanese Alps, dedicated to the god of rice and...
View shrine →
Yataka Suwa Jinja
Nagano
Suwa no OkamiYataka Suwa Jinja is a Shinto shrine located in the Nagano Prefecture, dedicated to the revered deit...
View shrine →
Yatake Shrine
Kumamoto
Deities of archery and martial prowessA Shinto shrine located in Kumamoto Prefecture, dedicated to deities associated with archery and mar...
View shrine →
Yatate Jinja
Miyagi
Yatate no OkamiYatate Jinja is a Shinto shrine located in the town of Ōsato, Miyagi Prefecture. The shrine is dedic...
View shrine →
Yatsu Akiba Shrine
Shizuoka
TsukuyomiYatsu Akiba Shrine, located in the town of Kakegawa in Shizuoka Prefecture, is a Shinto shrine dedic...
View shrine →
Yatsuka Shrine
Gifu
Hachiman-shin (god of war and culture)Yatsuka Shrine is a Shinto shrine in Gifu Prefecture dedicated to Hachiman, the syncretic deity of w...
View shrine →
Yatsuki Tsutsukobetsu Shrine
Fukushima
Ajisukitakahikone-no-mikoto and associated deitiesYatsuki Tsutsukobetsu Shrine is one of the ancient shrines in Fukushima Prefecture, known for its co...
View shrine →
Yatsurugi Shrine
Kanagawa
Hachiman and associated warrior deitiesYatsurugi Shrine is a Shinto shrine in Kanagawa Prefecture dedicated to Hachiman, the divine protect...
View shrine →
Yatsurugi Shrine
Gifu
Yamato Takeru no MikotoA Shinto shrine in Gifu Prefecture dedicated to the legendary prince Yamato Takeru no Mikoto. The na...
View shrine →
Yatsurugi Shrine
Gifu
Yahata no Kami (Hachiman)Yatsurugi Shrine is a Shinto shrine in Gifu Prefecture dedicated to Hachiman, the divine protector o...
View shrine →
Yatsurugi-jinja shrine
Chiba
SusanowoYatsurugi-jinja shrine is a Shinto temple located in the town of Kazusa, Chiba Prefecture. The shrin...
View shrine →
Yatsurugiken Shrine
Gifu
Susanoo-no-MikotoYatsurugiken Shrine is a Shinto shrine in Gifu Prefecture dedicated to Susanoo-no-Mikoto, the storm...
View shrine →
Yatsushiro-gu Shrine
Kumamoto
Prince KanenagaYatsushiro-gu is a Shinto shrine in Kumamoto Prefecture dedicated to Prince Kanenaga, the son of Emp...
View shrine →
Yatsutsurugi Shrine
Gifu
Hachiman deity and sword spiritsYatsutsurugi Shrine is dedicated to the veneration of sacred swords and the Hachiman deity. The name...
View shrine →
Yazawa Inarisha
Nagano
Inari OkamiLocated in the mountains of Nagano Prefecture, Yazawa Inarisha Shrine is a Shinto temple dedicated t...
View shrine →
Yma-jinjya Shrine
伊豆市, 静岡県
Yma-gamiYma-jinjya Shrine is a Shinto temple located in Izu City, Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan. The shrine is...
View shrine →
Yo Tenmangu Shrine
Nara
Sugawara no MichizaneYo Tenmangu is a Shinto shrine in Nara Prefecture dedicated to Sugawara no Michizane, the deified sc...
View shrine →
Yoake Inari Shrine
Tochigi
Inari OkamiYoake Inari Shrine is a Shinto shrine located in the city of Utsunomiya, Tochigi Prefecture, and is...
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.