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
Oyamato Shrine
Nara
Yamato-no-Okunitama-no-MikotoOne of Japan's oldest Shinto shrines, Oyamato Shrine is dedicated to Yamato-no-Okunitama-no-Mikoto,...
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Rokkake Shrine
Nara
A Shinto shrine located in Nara Prefecture, known by its name which translates to 'Six Hanging' shri...
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Ryuike Shrine
Nara
Dragon deity or water kamiRyuike Shrine is a Shinto shrine located in Nara Prefecture, whose name literally means 'Dragon Pond...
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Ryuketsu Shrine
Nara
Dragon deity of Mount YoshinoA mystical shrine located on Mount Yoshino in Nara Prefecture, renowned for its association with dra...
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Ryuoh Shrine
Nara
Dragon King deityA local shrine dedicated to dragon deities, reflecting the widespread Japanese folk belief in dragon...
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Sagisu Shrine
Nara
HachimanSagisu Shrine is a Shinto shrine located in Nara Prefecture dedicated to Hachiman, the deity of war...
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Sahogawa Tenmangu Shrine
Nara
Sugawara no MichizaneA Tenmangu shrine dedicated to Sugawara no Michizane, located along the Sahogawa River in Nara. Like...
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Sai Shrine
Nara
Water deity and healing kamiSai Shrine is located within the sacred precincts of Omiwa Shrine in Sakurai, Nara Prefecture. This...
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Sarutahiko Shrine
Nara
Sarutahiko-no-Okami, road and crossroads deityA Shinto shrine dedicated to Sarutahiko-no-Okami, the kami of roads, crossroads, and guidance. Also...
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Shimoichi Hiruko Shrine
Nara
Hiruko no Mikoto (Ebisu)A local shrine in Shimoichi town dedicated to Hiruko no Mikoto, also known as Ebisu, the deity of fi...
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Shinmei Shrine
Nara
Amaterasu OmikamiShinmei Shrine is a Shinto shrine in Nara Prefecture dedicated to Amaterasu Omikami, the sun goddess...
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Shinmei Shrine
Nara
Amaterasu OmikamiShinmei Shrine is a Shinto shrine dedicated to Amaterasu Omikami, the sun goddess and chief deity of...
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Shinto Nichiten-kyo Main Church
Nara
Amaterasu OmikamiShinto Nichiten-kyo Main Church is the headquarters of a modern Shinto sect that emphasizes solar wo...
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Shirahige Shrine
Nara
Sarutahiko no OkamiShirahige Shrine is dedicated to Sarutahiko no Okami, a deity associated with guidance, protection,...
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Shiratama Inari Shrine
Nara
Inari OkamiShiratama Inari Shrine is a local Inari shrine in Nara Prefecture dedicated to the rice and prosperi...
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Sudō Tennō Shrine
Nara
Emperor Sudō (Prince Sawara)A shrine dedicated to Emperor Sudō, posthumously known as Prince Sawara, who died in exile in 785 CE...
View shrine →Jump to Shinto shrines across Japan — 108 prefectures in our directory.
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