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
InariLocated in the heart of Osaka, Namba's Inari Shrine is dedicated to the Shinto god Inari Okami, patr...
View shrine →
Hyogo
nullAllanama Shrine, located in Kobe, Hyogo Prefecture, is dedicated to the Shinto deity of learning and...
View shrine →
Hyogo
Oinagisama国英神社, located in Hyogo Prefecture, is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the kami of the sea and ferti...
View shrine →
Hyogo
Inari ŌkamiLocated in the city of Akashi, Hyogo Prefecture, Bagu River Shrine is a Shinto shrine dedicated to t...
View shrine →
Hyogo
Located in the Seto Inland Sea, Mt. Kurahashi Shrine is a Shinto shrine dedicated to various kami, i...
View shrine →
Hyogo
Kamiyama no ŌkamiLocated in Hyogo Prefecture, 土師百井神社 is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the water spirit kami, Kam...
View shrine →
Hyogo
Ise no OkamiToshosha is a Shinto shrine located in Hyogo Prefecture, dedicated to the deity Ise no Okami, a powe...
View shrine →
Hyogo
Hachiman, InariLocated in Hyogo Prefecture, Rock崎 Shrine is a historic Shinto shrine dedicated to the god of the...
View shrine →
Hyogo
Tamayusu, HakutoHamamatsuya Shrine, located in Hyogo Prefecture, is dedicated to the Shinto god of rice and fertilit...
View shrine →
智頭町, 鳥取県
Takemikazuchi諏訪神社, located in the town of智頭町 in鳥取県, is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the kami Takemikazu...
View shrine →
Hyogo
Suke-hime no kamiThe Seki-shinja Shrine in Hyogo Prefecture is dedicated to the Shinto deity of agriculture, fertilit...
View shrine →
Hyogo
nullJiangzun Shrine is a Shinto shrine located in Hyogo Prefecture, Japan, dedicated to the kami of sea...
View shrine →
Hyogo
Yamabiko-no-KamiHighsanda Shrine, located in Hyogo Prefecture, is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the kami of the highl...
View shrine →
Hyogo
Menkai-o-no-kamiThe Menkai-jinja Shrine in Kobe, Hyogo Prefecture is a Shinto temple dedicated to the god of men's f...
View shrine →
Hyogo
Komachi OkamiLocated in the city of Akashi, Hyogo Prefecture,塩釜神社 is a Shinto shrine dedicated to Komachi Oka...
View shrine →
Hyogo
Inari OkamiIshibaya Shrine, located in the town of Toyokawa, Hyogo Prefecture, is dedicated to the Shinto god I...
View shrine →
Hyogo
Hino-hikoboshiLocated in the scenic countryside of Hyogo Prefecture, 野口神社 is a tranquil Shinto shrine dedicate...
View shrine →
Hyogo
nullLocated in the heart of Hyogo Prefecture, the Ue-no-Mori-ji Shrine is a Shinto temple dedicated to t...
View shrine →
Hyogo
Hachiman-guLocated in the scenic mountains of western Hyogo, Katsuragi Shrine has been a sacred site since anci...
View shrine →
Hyogo
Inari OkamiRokudo Shrine, located in the city of Himeji, Hyogo Prefecture, is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the...
View shrine →
Hyogo
InariLocated in the city of Himeji, Hyogo Prefecture, Takamatsu Shrine is dedicated to the god of protect...
View shrine →
Hyogo
InariVermilion-painted torii gate and wooden shrine hall mark the entrance to Vomizu Shrine, a historic S...
View shrine →
Hyogo
Shira GodoLocated in the city of Himeji, Shira Godo Shrine is a historic Shinto shrine dedicated to the kami S...
View shrine →
Hyogo
NetsuNetsu-kami-jinja is a Shinto shrine dedicated to Netsu, the kami of lightning and thunder. Located i...
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.