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
Osaka
InariThe Ryomen Tenjin Shrine, dedicated to Inari Okami, is a historic Shinto shrine located in the heart...
View shrine →
Osaka
Susanoo-no-MikotoNew Miyajima Shrine, located in Osaka, is dedicated to the Shinto god of fertility and prosperity, S...
View shrine →
Osaka
Tamayotsukuni no OkamiSpring Day Shrine, located in Osaka Prefecture, is a sacred site dedicated to the worship of various...
View shrine →
Osaka
Yamato no OkamiLocated in the heart of Osaka, Ifukuji Shrine is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the god of agriculture...
View shrine →
Osaka
Located in Osaka, Eight Hills Shrine is dedicated to the kami of the eight hills that surround the c...
View shrine →
Osaka
Tadri no kamiTadri-senjinsha is a Shinto shrine located in Osaka, dedicated to the god of fertility and agricultu...
View shrine →
Osaka
Located in the heart of Osaka, Danjuma-yama-guchi-jinja is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the kami of...
View shrine →
Osaka
Narita-sanLocated in the heart of Kita-ku, Osaka, 狭山神社 is a revered Shinto shrine dedicated to the kami of...
View shrine →
Osaka
Inari OkamiLocated in Osaka's Kita-ku, Osakayama-gu is one of the city's largest and most historically signific...
View shrine →
Osaka
大坂山口神社 is a Shinto shrine located in Osaka, Japan, dedicated to the kami of Mount Sakaiminato....
View shrine →
Osaka
nullRōjinsha, a Shinto shrine dedicated to the god of longevity and medicine, is located in Osaka Prefec...
View shrine →
Osaka
Susanoo-no-kamiLocated in Osaka, Abeno-Okawa Shrine is dedicated to the kami of the Okawa River and the region's pr...
View shrine →
Osaka
Located in Osaka, the Ōsaka Shrine is dedicated to the god of learning and literature, Susanoo-no-Mi...
View shrine →
Osaka
Kami no Mikoto星田妙見宮 is a Shinto shrine located in Osaka, dedicated to the god of longevity and prosperity, Ka...
View shrine →
Osaka
InariLocated in the heart of Osaka, the historical Shitetsu Shrine is one of the oldest shrines in Japan,...
View shrine →
Osaka
Located in the heart of Osaka, Yumeno-ya Shrine is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the god of fertility...
View shrine →
Osaka
Susanoo-no-mikotoLocated in Osaka, Ishidōjinsha Shrine is a Shinto temple dedicated to the kami of a former fish mark...
View shrine →
Osaka
TsukiyomiSpring Day Shrine, located in Osaka Prefecture, is dedicated to the Shinto deity of spring and new b...
View shrine →
Osaka
Yamato no OkamiGekko Yamato no Okami-jinja, a Shinto shrine in Osaka dedicated to the god of thunder and lightning,...
View shrine →
Osaka
HachimanLocated in Osaka, Kanzawa-hachi-juu Hachiman-gū is a prominent Shinto shrine dedicated to the deity...
View shrine →
Osaka
Susanoo-no-MikotoLocated in the heart of Osaka, the Imperial Taisha Shrine is one of Japan's most sacred Shinto shrin...
View shrine →
Osaka
HachimanIshida Hachiman-gu, a Shinto shrine located in Osaka Prefecture, is dedicated to Hachiman, the god o...
View shrine →
Osaka
Arashiyama-tsuchiArashiyama Shrine, located in western Kyoto, is actually a more well-known location, however the Shr...
View shrine →
Osaka
Tsukumo InariThe Tsukumo Inari Taisha is a Shinto shrine located in Osaka's Tsukumogami-cho district, dedicated t...
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.