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
Ibaraki
Susanoo-no-MikotoKyusui Shrine, located in Ibaraki Prefecture, is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the kami of rice and a...
View shrine →
Ibaraki
The Ō-Ga-ki Shrine, located in Ibaraki Prefecture, is dedicated to the Shinto kami of Mount Iwaki an...
View shrine →
Ibaraki
Amaterasu ŌmikamiLocated in the coastal town of Kashima,鹿島神社 (Kashima Shrine) is one of Japan's most famous Shint...
View shrine →
Ibaraki
HachimanHachimata Shrine is a Shinto shrine located in the town of Katsurao, Ibaraki Prefecture, known for i...
View shrine →
Ibaraki
nullLocated in the town of Katsuragawa, Ibaraki Prefecture, Nihonmatsu Jokoen Temple's subsidiary shrine...
View shrine →
Ibaraki
Mutsu-no-okamiKatsura Island Shrine, located in the scenic town of Tōgane, Ibaraki Prefecture, is dedicated to the...
View shrine →
Ibaraki
HachimanTanabata Shrine, located in Mito City, Ibaraki Prefecture, is dedicated to the star-crossed lovers O...
View shrine →
Ibaraki
Kamimusubi-Okami大川神社 is a Shinto shrine located in the town of Higashimado, Ibaraki Prefecture. Dedicated to the...
View shrine →
Ibaraki
KamiLocated in the city of Tsuchiura, Ibaraki Prefecture, Kiyoshioka Shrine is a Shinto shrine dedicated...
View shrine →
Ibaraki
HachimanLocated in the town of Iwase, Ibaraki Prefecture, Okamegami Hachiman Shrine is dedicated to Hachiman...
View shrine →
Ibaraki
Izumi no OkamiLocated in the Ibaraki Prefecture, Kashiwazuma Shrine is dedicated to the deities of fertility and a...
View shrine →
Ibaraki
Inari OkamiLocated in the historic city of Mito, Shinto shrine dedicated to the rice goddess Inari Okami. Dedic...
View shrine →
Ibaraki
Katsura Shrine, located in the city of Katsura, Ibaraki Prefecture, is a Shinto shrine that dates ba...
View shrine →
Ibaraki
Shisa no KamiLocated in the scenic town of Tomida, Kagishi Island Shrine is a Shinto temple dedicated to the kami...
View shrine →
Ibaraki
Inari ŌkamiThe o-temmon-gu Shrine, located in Ibaraki Prefecture, is dedicated to the Shinto god of rice, Inari...
View shrine →
Ibaraki
RyūjinLocated in the scenic city of Hitachino, Ibaraki Prefecture, the Shinryōjin Shrine is a revered Shin...
View shrine →
Ibaraki
TakamatsuhikoLocated in the town of Tomobe, Ibaraki Prefecture, Hieizan Takamatsu Shrine is a Shinto shrine dedic...
View shrine →
Ibaraki
Suoujin-no-KamiUpper Harima Water Shrine, located in Ibaraki Prefecture, is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the god of...
View shrine →
Ibaraki
High House Shrine is a Shinto shrine located in Ibaraki Prefecture, famous for its unique architectu...
View shrine →
Ibaraki
Located in the scenic coastal town of Hitachi, Ibaraki Prefecture's Kashiima Island Shrine is a sere...
View shrine →
Ibaraki
Located in the scenic Ibaraki Prefecture, Mt. Kasumigahara's Shrine, Yamakura Taishitenshuu, is dedi...
View shrine →
Ibaraki
Susanoo-no-MikotoLocated in the town of Daigo, Ibaraki Prefecture, Daigassu Shrine is dedicated to the spirit of the...
View shrine →
Ibaraki
InariLocated in the scenic coastal town of Sasaki, Ibaraki Prefecture,鹿島神社 (Deer Island Shrine) is a...
View shrine →
Ibaraki
Taka-mori-no-kamiLocated in the town of Fukuda, Ibaraki Prefecture, Mōko-sugi no Mikawa-shrines are a group of Shinto...
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.