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
Yamagata
San'ichi no KamiLocated in the prefecture of Yamagata, San'ishi-jinja Shrine is dedicated to the deity of the same n...
View shrine →
Yamagata
Amaterasu ŌmikamiLocated in the city of Yamagata, Imperial Palace Shrine (also known as Kogakuin or Ōdaijin) is a Shi...
View shrine →
Yamagata
Hachiman OkamiWest Miyagi Shrine, located in the town of Mogi in Yamagata Prefecture, is a Shinto shrine dedicated...
View shrine →
Yamagata
Located in the heart of Yamagata Prefecture, Sanbō-ara- no-mori no Okitama-jinja is a Shinto shrine...
View shrine →
Yamagata
Susanoo no MikotoLocated in the heart of Yamagata Prefecture,熊野神社 is one of Japan's oldest and most revered Shint...
View shrine →
Yamagata
Susanoo-no-MikotoLocated in the heart of Yamagata Prefecture, Tenmangū Shrine is one of Japan's oldest and most rever...
View shrine →
Yamagata
Tachibana-no-KamiLocated in the town of Iida, Yamagata Prefecture,塩井神社 is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the kami T...
View shrine →
Yamagata
Kuma no yoshino-oki-tachibana (Deer God with Cherry Blossom Branch)Dedicated to the Shinto kami of Mount Aso, the shrines at Mount Aso and Kumamoto are believed to hav...
View shrine →
Yamagata
Located in the heart of Yamagata Prefecture, Kinryō-ji Shrine is dedicated to Fujin Ryūjin, the wind...
View shrine →
Yamagata
Kumano-zokushiHokuriku-san, a sacred deer from the mountains of the Hokkaido region, has been enshrined in Kumano...
View shrine →
Yamagata
ShishigamiOne-miya Shrine in Yamagata Prefecture is dedicated to the Shishigami kami, a deity believed to brin...
View shrine →
Yamagata
AmaterasuThe Dewa Sanzan's most famous Shinto shrine, located in the heart of Sendai City. Dedicated to the s...
View shrine →
Yamagata
Ryūō Daibai-san Shinshū is a Shinto shrine located in the Yamagata prefecture, known for its scenic...
View shrine →
Yamagata
Located in the mountains of Yamagata Prefecture, the shrine of Yama no Kami is dedicated to the moun...
View shrine →
Yamagata
Inari ŌkamiLocated in the prefecture of Yamagata, Okamurōgawa Inari Shrine is dedicated to Inari Ōkami, the Shi...
View shrine →
Yamagata
HachimanBaginoe Hachiman Shrine is a Shinto shrine located in the town of Kurokawa, Yamagata Prefecture. Ded...
View shrine →
Yamagata
Located in the heart of Yamagata, Ōishida Inari Shrine is a sacred Shinto site honoring the patron k...
View shrine →
Arakura shrine
Yamagata
InariArakura Shrine is a Shinto shrine located in the mountains of Yamagata Prefecture, dedicated to the...
View shrine →
Assembly Hall
Yamagata
Izanagi-no-kami, Tsukuyomi-no-kamiThe Assembly Hall in Yamagata Prefecture is a lesser-known Shinto shrine dedicated to the worship of...
View shrine →
Azuma-jinja Shrine
Yamagata
InariLocated in the heart of Yamagata Prefecture, Azuma-jinja Shrine is a historic Shinto shrine dedicate...
View shrine →
Dewa Sanzan Shrine
Yamagata
AmaterasuDewa Sanzan Shrine is a Shinto shrine located in Yamagata Prefecture, dedicated to the deities of th...
View shrine →
Gassan Jinja Hongu
Yamagata
Gassan OkamiGassan Jinja Hongu, located in the heart of Yamagata Prefecture, is a revered Shinto shrine dedicate...
View shrine →
Hachiman Shrine
Yamagata
Hachiman OkamiLocated in the heart of Yamagata Prefecture, Hachiman Shrine is one of Japan's oldest and most rever...
View shrine →
Yamagata
HachimanLocated in the city of Yamagata, Haguro Shrine is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the deity Hachiman, t...
View shrine →Jump to Shinto shrines across Japan — 108 prefectures in our directory.
Yokai, oni, kitsune and spirits from folklore
Directory of Japanese board games and traditional games
Verified itch.io pixel-art gacha — fair odds, no ads
Reference guides for classic Japanese ham radios
Ancient joinery techniques of Japanese master craftsmen
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.