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
Nagayama Inari Shrine
Nara
Inari OkamiNagayama Inari Shrine is a local Inari shrine in Nara Prefecture dedicated to Inari Okami, the Shint...
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Naniichi Ebisu Shrine
Nara
EbisuA local Ebisu shrine in Nara Prefecture dedicated to the deity Ebisu, one of the Seven Lucky Gods of...
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Nanto Goryo Shrine
Nara
Spirits of deceased nobles and court officialsA historic Shinto shrine in Nara dedicated to the spirits of nobles who died in political conflicts...
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Niino Hachiman Shrine
Nara
Emperor Ojin (Hondawake no Mikoto)A Hachiman shrine located in Nara Prefecture dedicated to the deified Emperor Ojin. Like other Hachi...
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Nishinami Tenjin Shrine
Nara
Sugawara no MichizaneNishinami Tenjin Shrine is a local Tenjin shrine in Nara Prefecture dedicated to Sugawara no Michiza...
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Okami Shrine
Nara
A Shinto shrine located in Nara Prefecture, Japan. The name 'Okami' refers to great or divine spirit...
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Okayama Inari Shrine
Nara
Inari OkamiOkayama Inari Shrine is a local Inari shrine located in Nara Prefecture dedicated to the deity of ri...
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Omiashi Shrine
Nara
Emperor JimmuOmiashi Shrine is a Shinto shrine in Kashihara, Nara Prefecture, closely associated with Emperor Jim...
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Omine Shrine
Nara
Zaou GongenOmine Shrine is located in the sacred Omine mountain range of Nara Prefecture, serving as an importa...
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Onai Neiko Shrine
Nara
Ame-no-Oshihomimi-no-MikotoA historic Shinto shrine in Nara Prefecture dedicated to Ame-no-Oshihomimi-no-Mikoto, son of the sun...
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Owatari Shrine
Nara
A Shinto shrine located in Nara Prefecture, distinguished by its name which references the concept o...
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Oyamato Shrine
Nara
Yamato-no-Okunitama-no-KamiOyamato Shrine is a historic Shinto shrine in Nara Prefecture dedicated to Yamato-no-Okunitama-no-Ka...
View shrine →Jump to Shinto shrines across Japan — 108 prefectures in our directory.
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