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
Niigata
InariThe Inari Shrine in Niigata Prefecture is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the kami of rice, fertility,...
View shrine →
Niigata
InariLocated in the city of Joetsu, Ishikawa Prefecture, but also associated with Niigata Prefecture due...
View shrine →
Niigata
Hachiman住吉神社 is a Shinto shrine located in the town of Kosuge, Niigata Prefecture. The shrine is dedicat...
View shrine →
Niigata
Kuchisake-onnaFire Temple Shrine in Niigata Prefecture, dedicated to the Shinto deity of fire and volcanoes, Kuchi...
View shrine →
Niigata
Inari OkamiLocated in the city of Nagaoka, Niigata Prefecture, Godai Shrine is a Shinto shrine dedicated to Ina...
View shrine →
Niigata
Ryujin顯見前神社, located in Niigata Prefecture, is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the kami of the sea and f...
View shrine →
Niigata
MinoruTemple of the Minoru, a regional kami revered in Niigata Prefecture, is located within the grounds o...
View shrine →
Niigata
Utsukimi-no-Mikoto諏訪神社 is a Shinto shrine located in the town of Agematsu, Niigata Prefecture. The shrine is dedic...
View shrine →
Niigata
KushinohikoboshiLocated in the city of Kashiwazaki, Niigata Prefecture, Ishidō Shrine is dedicated to the protection...
View shrine →
Niigata
SukuhimeTemple of the Shrine in the Country, a Shinto temple located in the heart of Niigata City, was built...
View shrine →
Niigata
OkappatsuHakushi Taisha Shrine is a Shinto shrine located in the city of Hakushin, Niigata Prefecture, and is...
View shrine →
Niigata
nullLocated in the heart of Niigata, the Daisaki Shrine is a revered Shinto site dedicated to the kami o...
View shrine →
Niigata
BishamonEight Horseshoe Shrine, located in Niigata Prefecture, is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the god of fe...
View shrine →
Niigata
Inari Okami, NekojinLocated in the heart of Niigata, tailo-no-uchi-shinja is a revered Shinto shrine dedicated to the se...
View shrine →
Niigata
NoneFive-Society Shrine in Niigata is dedicated to the worship of five regional kami, believed to protec...
View shrine →
Niigata
SusanooThe Twelve Shrines of Japan is a legendary group of twelve Shinto shrines believed to be the origina...
View shrine →
Niigata
NoneThe Twelve Gods Shrine, located in Niigata Prefecture, is a Shinto temple dedicated to the twelve go...
View shrine →
Niigata
EnmaLocated in the city of Niigata, Godai-jinja Shrine is a historic Shinto shrine dedicated to the god...
View shrine →
Niigata
Izumino-Okami諏訪神社 is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the kami of the same name, located in Niigata Prefecture. T...
View shrine →
Niigata
Sakaida HachimanLocated in the heart of Niigata, 坂田神社 (Sakaida Shrine) is a revered Shinto shrine dedicated to t...
View shrine →
Niigata
Hatanaka Shrine is a Shinto shrine located in the scenic town of Yuzawa, Niigata Prefecture, known f...
View shrine →
Niigata
Shinobu Shrine, located in the mountains of Niigata Prefecture, is dedicated to Shinobu Okami, a kam...
View shrine →
Niigata
Tatsushi no OkamiThe shrines of the Tatsuishi district in Niigata Prefecture are said to be among Japan's oldest, wit...
View shrine →
Niigata
The Mutō-ji Shrine, located in the city of Niigata, is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the kami Mutō-no...
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.