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
Yodohime Shrine
Hiroshima
Yodohime-no-MikotoA Shinto shrine in Hiroshima Prefecture dedicated to Yodohime-no-Mikoto, a deity associated with wat...
View shrine →
Yohashira Shrine
Nagano
Ryujin, Susanoo-no-MikotoYohashira Shrine is a Shinto shrine located in the Japanese prefecture of Nagano, known for its uniq...
View shrine →
Yojirōgahama Inari Shrine
Kagoshima
Inari ŌkamiA local Inari shrine located in the Yojirōgahama area of Kagoshima Prefecture, dedicated to the Shin...
View shrine →
Yokohama Ichinomiya Shrine
Kanagawa
A Shinto shrine located in Yokohama, Kanagawa Prefecture, bearing the prestigious 'Ichinomiya' desig...
View shrine →
Yokokura Shrine
Kochi
A historic Shinto shrine located in the mountains of Kochi Prefecture, situated near the legendary Y...
View shrine →
Yokomizo Inari Shrine
Kanagawa
Inari OkamiA local Inari shrine in Kanagawa Prefecture dedicated to the deity of rice, prosperity, and good for...
View shrine →
Yokoneinari-jinja Shrine
Kanagawa
InariLocated in the city of Odawara, Kanagawa Prefecture, Yokoneinari-jinja Shrine is a Shinto shrine ded...
View shrine →
Yokose Shrine
伊豆市, 静岡県
OkuninushiLocated on the sacred island of Izu in Shizuoka Prefecture, Yokose Shrine is a revered Shinto site d...
View shrine →
Yokose- Hachiman Shrine
Shizuoka
HachimanYokose-Hachiman Shrine is a Shinto temple located in the city of Kakegawa, Shizuoka Prefecture. Dedi...
View shrine →
Yokoto Motoike Bentengu
Ibaraki
BentenguLocated in Ibaraki Prefecture, Yokoto Motoike Bentengu Shrine is a small Shinto shrine dedicated to...
View shrine →
Yokoya Hachiman
Osaka
HachimanLocated in Osaka's Kita-ku, Yokoya Hachiman Shrine is dedicated to the Shinto god of war and wisdom,...
View shrine →
Yomei Shrine
—
Deity of longevity and healthYomei Shrine is a local Shinto shrine dedicated to prayers for longevity, health, and well-being. Th...
View shrine →
Yomochi Shrine
Okinawa
Yomochi Shrine, located in the heart of Okinawa, is a Shinto temple dedicated to the kami of prosper...
View shrine →
Yonaki Shrine
—
A shrine dedicated to helping with infant crying and children's sleep troubles. Parents visit to pra...
View shrine →
Yonaoshi Myojin Shrine
Kochi
Yonaoshi Myojin (World Renewal Deity)A local Shinto shrine in Kochi Prefecture dedicated to Yonaoshi Myojin, a deity associated with worl...
View shrine →
Yonemitsu-Hiyoshi Jinja Shrine
白山市, 石川県
Hiyoshi Okami and Yonemitsu OkamiYonemitsu-Hiyoshi Jinja Shrine is a Shinto shrine located in Higashi-mura, Kamome-cho, Matsuoka, Ish...
View shrine →
Yonemitsu-Shirayama Jinja Shrine
白山市, 石川県
Shirogami HachimanLocated in the heart of Wakkanai City, Yonemitsu-Shirayama Jinja Shrine is a Shinto shrine dedicated...
View shrine →
Yonesawa Isasumi Jinja shrine
Niigata
InariYonesawa Isasumi Jinja shrine, located in the Niigata prefecture, is a serene Shinto temple dedicate...
View shrine →
Yonesawa Isasumi shrine
Niigata
Yonesawa Isasumi Shrine is a Shinto shrine located in the town of Yonesawa, Niigata Prefecture. Dedi...
View shrine →
Yoriki Hachiman Shrine
Kagoshima
Hachiman, god of war and protector of Japan View shrine →
Yoshida Kasuga Shrine
Osaka
Kasuga OkamiYoshida Kasuga Shrine is a Shinto shrine located in the city of Osaka, dedicated to the deity Kasuga...
View shrine →
Yoshida Shrine
—
Takemikazuchi-no-mikoto and other protective deitiesYoshida Shrine is a prominent Shinto shrine located on Mount Yoshida in Kyoto's Sakyo ward. The shri...
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.