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
Hyogo
Amaterasu Omikami愛宛神社 is a Shinto shrine located in Hyogo Prefecture, dedicated to the worship of Amaterasu Omika...
View shrine →
Hyogo
Susanoo-no-MikotoLocated in the heart of Kobe, eight-story pagoda and beautiful gardens complement the serene atmosph...
View shrine →
Hyogo
Katsuragatsuno-OkamiLocated in the city of Akashi, Hyogo Prefecture, Auchi no Kibutsu Shrine is dedicated to Katsuragats...
View shrine →
Hyogo
三角山神社 is a Shinto shrine located in Hyogo Prefecture, dedicated to the worship of various kami,...
View shrine →
Hyogo
Inari OkamiSakamigahara Inari Shrine, located in Hyogo Prefecture, is one of Japan's most famous Shinto shrines...
View shrine →
Hyogo
Kojima-yamago Shrine, located in the Hyogo prefecture, is dedicated to the deity Kojima-Okami and Ko...
View shrine →
Hyogo
Takehaya Okami多賀神社 is a Shinto shrine located in Hyogo Prefecture, dedicated to the worship of Takehaya Okami,...
View shrine →
Hyogo
Ame-no-ŌkamiLocated in the heart of Hyogo Prefecture, truematsu-gami no miya is a sacred Shinto site dedicated t...
View shrine →
Hyogo
ŌkuninushiLocated in Hyogo Prefecture, Toji Shrine is a Shinto temple dedicated to the god of wisdom and prosp...
View shrine →
Hyogo
Inari Ōkami日野久世神社 is a Shinto shrine located in Hyogo Prefecture, dedicated to the kami of fertility and...
View shrine →
Hyogo
IshitsuIshitsugen-sha is a Shinto shrine located in the city of Akashi, Hyogo Prefecture, Japan. Dedicated...
View shrine →
Hyogo
Cave King (Mikoto no Okami)Caves King Grand Shrine, located in the scenic Seto Inland Sea area of Hyogo Prefecture, is a Shinto...
View shrine →
Hyogo
OkuninushiLocated in the city of Himeji,籠守神社 is a Shinto shrine dedicated to Okuninushi, the god of the ri...
View shrine →
Hyogo
Hachiman, Bishamonten, Fudo MyooLocated in the scenic city of Kobe, Hyogo Prefecture, Sanbyo Jinsha is a historic Shinto shrine dedi...
View shrine →
Hyogo
InariLocated in Hyogo Prefecture, Shitennō-ji Temple's sister shrine, Ishibaya稲荷神社 (Ishibaya Inari Sh...
View shrine →
Hyogo
nullPokkuri Jingu Shrine in Kōbe, Hyogo Prefecture, is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the god of thunder a...
View shrine →
Hyogo
Susahito-no-KamiLocated in Hyogo Prefecture, small-winged god shrine is a serene Shinto temple dedicated to the wors...
View shrine →
Hyogo
Susanoo-no-MikotoGold Summit Shrine, located in the city of Akashi in Hyogo Prefecture, is a sacred site dedicated to...
View shrine →
Hyogo
ForseiForsei Eiyo-jinja is a Shinto shrine located in the city of Himeji, Hyogo Prefecture. Dedicated to t...
View shrine →
Hyogo
ŌkuninushiLocated in the city of Kakogawa, Hyogo Prefecture, Daikawasugi Shrine is dedicated to the Shinto god...
View shrine →
Hyogo
Kamikaze no OkamiGanroku-jinja Shrine, located in Kobe, Hyogo Prefecture, is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the deity K...
View shrine →
Hyogo
Inari OkamiLocated in the city of Ako, Hyogo Prefecture,荒田神社 is a Shinto shrine dedicated to Inari Okami, t...
View shrine →
Hyogo
Located in the heart of Kobe, White Pine Shrine is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the god of agricultu...
View shrine →
Hyogo
BentenLocated in Hyogo Prefecture,八大荒神社 is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the god of the ocean and fert...
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.