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
Hokkaido
Rokuroku Ō no OkamiLocated in northern Japan, the Hokkaido shrine of Rokuroku-sanji-cho is dedicated to Rokuroku Ō no O...
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SusanooLocated in the heart of Shikotsu-Toya National Park, Gold Sword Susanoo Shrine is a Shinto site dedi...
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TsutsugamiClearwater Shrine, located in Otaru, Hokkaido, is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the kami of clear wat...
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Yama no OkamiTsuruoka's Big Mountain Shrine, dedicated to Yama no Okami, a mountain spirit revered by the indigen...
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Located in the heart of Hokkaido, Rockwood Shrine is a serene Shinto sanctuary dedicated to the prot...
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Inari OkamiLocated in the heart of Sapporo, small bridge Inari Shrine is one of the most famous Shinto shrines...
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Seiwa-taikaLocated in the scenic Shikotsu-Toya National Park on the northern island of Hokkaido, Seiwa-taika Sh...
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nullKasakiwa Shrine, located in the heart of Hokkaido's scenic wilderness, honors the Shinto kami associ...
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Located in the picturesque town of Shiraoi, Hokkaido's largest town, Shiroiwa-hime no Mikawa-hatsuka...
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Kozu-Han no KamiLocated in the heart of Sapporo, Hokkaido's largest city, Kozu-Han no Shinshin-jinja is a Shinto shr...
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Okuninushi-no-kamiLocated in the picturesque Niseko village of Hokkaido, the Rainbow Bridge Shrine is a serene Shinto...
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nullWest Village Shrine, located in Sapporo's West Village district of Hokkaido, is a small Shinto shrin...
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Tsukuyomi-no-kamiLocated in the heart of Hokkaido, the Katsuhika Shrine is a Shinto sanctuary that pays homage to the...
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Located in the scenic Akan National Park,音別神社 is a serene Shinto shrine dedicated to the kami of...
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AmaterasuLocated in the scenic coastal town of Shari, Hokkaido, Tomi Hamashinsha is a Shinto shrine dedicated...
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nullLocated in the scenic town of Ebetsu, Hokkaido, above White Waterfall Shrine is a Shinto shrine dedi...
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Ame-no-MurakumoLocated in the scenic Otaru region of Hokkaido, Eight Cloud Shrine is a revered Shinto site that hon...
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Located in the scenic town of Kitamieshi, Hokkaido, Jo茂be Goda Shrine is a lesser-known but still r...
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BenzaitenLocated in the heart of Sapporo, three-wheeled god shrine 'Sanbyou Jinja' is a revered Shinto site d...
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Akakawa Iwatsura Shrine, located in the picturesque town of Akan, is a lesser-known Shinto shrine de...
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Rin no Maru Shrine, located in the scenic town of Otaru, Hokkaido, is a beautiful Shinto temple dedi...
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Located in the heart of Hokkaido, 上仁頃神社 is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the kami of longevity a...
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nullLocated in the Sapporo city of Hokkaido, Takagahara-hie Shrine is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the g...
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nullLocated in the heart of Hokkaido, Tōgawagamiwa Shrine is a sacred Shinto site that honors the kami (...
View shrine →Jump to Shinto shrines across Japan — 108 prefectures in our directory.
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