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
Miyagi
Inari OkamiKōgatsumiya Shrine, located in the mountainous region of Miyagi Prefecture, is a Shinto shrine dedic...
View shrine →
Miyagi
RyujinDeep Mountain Shrine, located in the mountains of Miyagi Prefecture, is dedicated to the Shinto god...
View shrine →
Miyagi
Izu-satomi-jinja is a Shinto shrine located in the town of Tsuruga, Miyagi Prefecture. The shrine is...
View shrine →
Miyagi
Ennoyashiro no KamiLocated in the mountains of Miyagi Prefecture, Mount Godai Shrine is a Shinto shrine dedicated to th...
View shrine →
Miyagi
Mikasa-hikoLocated in the heart of Sendai, Japan, Ishinomeya Shrine, also known as Mikasahiko-miya Shrine, is a...
View shrine →
Miyagi
Kusunoki MakibiKatsurahama Shrine, located in the Miyagi Prefecture, is one of Japan's most famous Shinto shrines,...
View shrine →
Miyagi
Amaterasu OmikamiLocated in the heart of Miyagi Prefecture, Eight Humps Shrine is a prominent Shinto site dedicated t...
View shrine →
Miyagi
Okoshibutae Yamato no OkamiLocated in the city of Ishinomaki, Miyagi Prefecture, Ishinomaki Okoshi Jinsha is a Shinto shrine de...
View shrine →
Miyagi
RairyuRairyu Jinja is a Shinto shrine located in Sendai, Miyagi Prefecture, dedicated to the god of storms...
View shrine →
Miyagi
Inari Ō-no-mikotoThe Ishibashi Shrine, dedicated to the Shinto god of rice and fertility, located in Miyagi Prefectur...
View shrine →
Miyagi
Amaterasu Ōmikami and Susanoo no MikotoLocated in the heart of Sendai, Dayo-san Shrine is a Shinto temple dedicated to the kami of the Sun...
View shrine →
Miyagi
MyojinLeaf Mountain Shrine, a Shinto shrine dedicated to the kami of the forest and nature, is located in...
View shrine →
Miyagi
Futsu Shrine enshrines Futsu no Kami, and also Hachiman-gami, Toshizuka-hime, Yamabiko-no-kamiLocated in the heart of Sendai, Higashi-Matsushima-ku, the prestigious Futsu Shrine is dedicated to...
View shrine →
Miyagi
Tamashii加茂神社 is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the kami of agriculture and fertility, located in the coast...
View shrine →
Miyagi
TennshinshaTennshinsha, the heavenly god of justice and morality, is enshrined at Tennshinsha Shrine in Miyagi...
View shrine →
Miyagi
HachimanLocated in the scenic town of Yamoto, Miyagi Prefecture, 竹駒稲荷神社 is a Shinto shrine dedicated t...
View shrine →
Miyagi
Suguwara no MichinagaLocated in the scenic town of Sendai, Miyagi Prefecture, 熊野神社 is a historic Shinto shrine dedica...
View shrine →
Miyagi
Inari OkamiLocated in the city of Sendai, Miyagi Prefecture,八幡神社 is a prominent Shinto shrine dedicated to...
View shrine →
Miyagi
nullKesennuma Shrine, located in Miyagi Prefecture, is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the kami of the sea...
View shrine →
Miyagi
富沢三丁目小社 is a Shinto shrine located in Miyagi Prefecture, Japan. The shrine is dedicated to th...
View shrine →
Miyagi
Susuwatari-OkamiSpring Day Shrine, located in Miyagi Prefecture, is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the kami of the spr...
View shrine →
Miyagi
Hachiman OkamiLocated in the heart of Sendai, Hachinohe Shrine is one of the most revered Shinto shrines in Japan....
View shrine →
Miyagi
Susanoo-no-MikotoLocated in the Miyagi prefecture, Eight Humps Shrine is dedicated to the Shinto deity Susanoo-no-Mik...
View shrine →
Miyagi
Amaterasu ŌmikamiThe Tenno no Okami Shrine in Miyagi Prefecture is dedicated to the Shinto deity, Amaterasu Ōmikami,...
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.