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
Hyogo
Koishigahara Shrine, located in the heart of Hyogo Prefecture, is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the w...
View shrine →
Hyogo
TenninTwelve Shrine is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the god of prosperity and good fortune, located in Hyo...
View shrine →
Hyogo
好竹神社 (O-oki Shrine) is a Shinto shrine located in Hyogo Prefecture, known for its beautiful bamb...
View shrine →
Hyogo
HachimanLocated in the heart of Japan's Kansai region, Hyuga-san Hachiman Shrine is a revered Shinto site de...
View shrine →
Hyogo
InariLocated in the heart of Hyogo Prefecture, 廣畑天満宮 is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the deity Inari...
View shrine →
Hyogo
Amaterasu OmikamiDayatsu Jinja is a Shinto shrine located in Kobe, Hyogo Prefecture, dedicated to the god of fortune...
View shrine →
Hyogo
Located in Hyogo Prefecture, the Fish Whistle Eight Humps Shrine is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the...
View shrine →
Hyogo
Tenman OkamiHamamatsu-miya Tenman-ji Shrine is a Shinto shrine located in Kobe, Hyogo Prefecture, dedicated to t...
View shrine →
Hyogo
Located in the heart of Kobe, Higashi Hongan-ji Temple's English name is not directly associated wit...
View shrine →
Hyogo
Amaterasu Ōmikami厳島社 is a Shinto shrine located in Hyogo Prefecture, dedicated to the sun goddess Amaterasu Ōmikam...
View shrine →
Hyogo
Enshrined in the historic town of Ayutada, Tamba-Hyogo Prefecture, Emei-ju Myo Tenmanguu Shrine is a...
View shrine →
Hyogo
Susanoo-no-mikoto津田八幡宮 is a Shinto shrine located in Hyogo Prefecture, known for its historic significance as th...
View shrine →
Hyogo
Susanoo-no-Mikoto/OkuninushiLocated in the Hyogo prefecture, Eight Horses Temple Shrine is dedicated to the Shinto god Susanoo-n...
View shrine →
Hyogo
EbijimaeLocated in Hyogo Prefecture, Eibujingū Shrine is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the god of sake, Ebiji...
View shrine →
Hyogo
nullLocated in the city of Akashi, Hyogo Prefecture, Takayama Shrine is dedicated to the god of rice and...
View shrine →
姫路市白浜町甲３９９番地, Hyogo
Hachi no OkamiLocated in Himeji city, White Beach Ward, this Shinto shrine is dedicated to the Eight-Faced Bodhisa...
View shrine →
Hyogo
Takeko no KamiLocated in Hyogo Prefecture, the Daikobo Shrine is dedicated to the kami of the forest and is known...
View shrine →
Hyogo
Aratsuzuka no kamiLocated in the picturesque town of Akashi, Hyogo Prefecture, 芦津神社 (Aratsuzuka Shrine) is a seren...
View shrine →
Hyogo
FukurokujuFukuzawa Shrine, located in the scenic town of Awaji Island in Hyogo Prefecture, is dedicated to the...
View shrine →
Hyogo
Located in the heart of Kobe, Okunoin Shrine is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the god of the dead and...
View shrine →
Hyogo
Amaterasu Okinami愛宕神社, located in Hyogo Prefecture, is one of the most important Shinto shrines dedicated to Amat...
View shrine →
Hyogo
Located in the heart of Kobe, Hyogo Prefecture, Kamiyamachi Shrine is a historic Shinto shrine dedic...
View shrine →
Hyogo
OkamiLocated in Hyogo Prefecture, Iwami Shrine is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the kami of mountains and...
View shrine →
Hyogo
Inari OkamiLocated in Hyogo Prefecture, 倉田八幡宮 is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the god of industry and pros...
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
A pixel art map of Japanese culture — coming 2027
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.