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
Shizuoka
HachimanLocated in the city of Numazu, Shizuoka Prefecture, Ifukuji Hachiman-gu (Hachimantai) Shrine is dedi...
View shrine →
Shizuoka
Mikazuki HachimanKokoro no Mikazuki Hachiman Taisha is a Shinto shrine in Shizuoka Prefecture dedicated to the god of...
View shrine →
Shizuoka
Susanoo-no-MikotoSuwagami Shrine is a Shinto shrine located in the city of Susono, Shizuoka Prefecture, and is known...
View shrine →
Shizuoka
HairyōLocated in the mountains of Shizuoka Prefecture, Hairyō Shrine is a serene and secluded Shinto templ...
View shrine →
Shizuoka
Fujin, RaijinWest Mikasa Shrine, located in the scenic town of Iwata, Shizuoka Prefecture, is a sacred site dedic...
View shrine →
Shizuoka
Susanohoko-no-KamiKurama Shrine, located in the heart of the Japanese Alps, is a sacred site nestled in the picturesqu...
View shrine →
Shizuoka
FujinLocated on the island of Izu Oshima in Shizuoka Prefecture, Tsukushima Shrine is a sacred site dedic...
View shrine →
Shizuoka
Inari OkamiMaruyama Inari Shrine is a Shinto shrine located in the town of Yui, Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan. Ded...
View shrine →
Shizuoka
Tachibana-no-OkamiTachibana Shrine, located in the Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park in Shizuoka Prefecture, is dedicated...
View shrine →
Shizuoka
静岡県護国神社 is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the deity of protection and guardianship, located in...
View shrine →
Shizuoka
Shinmei OkamiLocated in the Shizuoka Prefecture, Shinmei Shrine is dedicated to the primary deity Shinmei Okami a...
View shrine →
Shizuoka
InariLocated in the town of Iwata, Shizuoka Prefecture, Yamazudo Shrine is a Shinto shrine dedicated to t...
View shrine →
Shizuoka
Amaterasu-ŌmikamiGozan-zukuri style shrine dedicated to the Amaterasu-Ōmikami, located in a scenic area near the sea...
View shrine →
Shizuoka
Located in the city of Fukuroi, Shizuoka Prefecture, Ryōokuœ no Makoto-jinja Shrine is a Shinto shri...
View shrine →
Shizuoka
FukutarosamaSuban-jinja, a Shinto shrine located in the city of Yatsugatake, Shizuoka Prefecture, is dedicated t...
View shrine →
Shizuoka
Hachiman OkamiThe Eight-Horsemighty Shrine, located in the city of Hamamatsu, Shizuoka Prefecture, is a prominent...
View shrine →
Shizuoka
HoteiLocated in the city of Izu, Shizuoka Prefecture, 猿田彦神社 is a Shinto shrine dedicated to Hotei, o...
View shrine →
Shizuoka
KazetsumiKatsuo-zuka Pond Shrine, located in Shizuoka Prefecture, is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the kami of...
View shrine →
Shizuoka
Tsukiyomi-no-kamiG Shrine is a Shinto shrine dedicated to Tsukiyomi-no-kami, the god of the moon and the sea. Located...
View shrine →
Shizuoka
Oinoyashiro no KamiLocated in the city of Gamagata, Shizuoka Prefecture,諏訪南宮神社 is a historic Shinto shrine dedica...
View shrine →
Shizuoka
Mustsa no OkamiMustsa no O-no-kami Shrine in Shizuoka is dedicated to Mustasa no Okami, a kami associated with the...
View shrine →
Shizuoka
Hatsu-KamiLocated in the city of Hamamatsu, Shizuoka Prefecture, the Eight Horseshoe Shrine is a prominent Shi...
View shrine →
Shizuoka
Located in the mountains of Shizuoka Prefecture, Koyasan Bear Shrine is one of Japan's most famous a...
View shrine →
Shizuoka
Susanoo no MikotoGifu-tsuji Shrine, also known as Gifu-tsuji Tennbo, is a Shinto shrine located in Shizuoka Prefectur...
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.