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
Miyagi
SusanooLocated in the heart of Sendai, the capital city of Miyagi Prefecture, Eight Humps Shrine is one of...
View shrine →
Miyagi
Located in the scenic prefecture of Miyagi, Three Peaks Shrine is a Shinto sacred site dedicated to...
View shrine →
Miyagi
FujinLocated in the heart of Sendai, Miyagi Prefecture, Eight Humps Shrine is a revered Shinto site dedic...
View shrine →
Miyagi
HachimanLocated in the Miyagi Prefecture, the Hachiman-jinja Shrine is dedicated to the Shinto deity Hachima...
View shrine →
Miyagi
nullAkihaba Shrine, dedicated to the deities of autumn leaves and the sea, is a historic Shinto shrine l...
View shrine →
Miyagi
TsukiyomiWater Shrine, dedicated to the kami of water, located in the city of Ishinomaki, Miyagi Prefecture....
View shrine →
Miyagi
Shinabuka-tsurugi no kamiLocated in the heart of Sendai, Tohoku's largest city, Stone Shrine is a historic Shinto shrine that...
View shrine →
Miyagi
SanjiLocated in the heart of Sendai, Miyagi Prefecture, Sanji Shrine is a revered Shinto shrine dedicated...
View shrine →
Miyagi
Susanoo-no-MikotoLocated in the heart of Sendai, the Eighteen Hara Shrine is dedicated to the Shinto god Susanoo-no-M...
View shrine →
Miyagi
nullLocated in the city of Ishinomaki, Miyagi Prefecture, 駒形根神社 is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the...
View shrine →
Miyagi
Ryujin, Shiroi HachimanAncient mountain shrine dedicated to Ryujin, the dragon god of the sea and rivers, and Shiroi Hachim...
View shrine →
Miyagi
Inari, Hikoboshi no OkamiAi date-ku no kami (The god of lightning) is enshrined at Ai Date Shrine, a Shinto shrine located in...
View shrine →
Miyagi
Amaterasu ŌmikamiLocated in the town of Kesennuma, Eight-Horned Shrine is dedicated to Amaterasu Ōmikami, the Shinto...
View shrine →
Miyagi
Sannaka-take no OkamiLocated in the heart of Miyagi Prefecture, Sanbō-in Shrine is dedicated to the kami of Mount Zao's t...
View shrine →
Miyagi
Amaterasu愛宕神社 is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the kami Amaterasu, located in the city of Sendai, Miyagi P...
View shrine →
Miyagi
HachimanLocated in the heart of Miyagi Prefecture, Ōfu-ji Shrine is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the god of...
View shrine →
Miyagi
nullKintsu Shrine, located in the heart of Yamagata City, is a sacred site dedicated to the worship of t...
View shrine →
Miyagi
Susanoo-no-KamiLocated in the city of Ishinomaki, Higashi-Matsushima District, Miyagi Prefecture, Five-En En Shrine...
View shrine →
Miyagi
Hoku TsukuyomiLocated in the coastal town of Higashi Matsushima, Miyagi Prefecture, Hoku Goda Shrine is a Shinto s...
View shrine →
Miyagi
Yamatsumi ŌkamiLocated in the prefecture of Miyagi, Mount Godai Shrine is a Shinto shrine dedicated to Mount Zao's...
View shrine →
Miyagi
Mount Aomori Shrine is a Shinto shrine located in the city of Aomori, Miyagi Prefecture. The shrine...
View shrine →
Miyagi
Mikamori no ŌkamiAi datsumikumari Shrine is a Shinto shrine located in Sendai, the largest city in Miyagi Prefecture....
View shrine →
Miyagi
HachimanHachinohe Shrine, located in the heart of Hachinohe City, Miyagi Prefecture, is a historic Shinto sh...
View shrine →
Miyagi
Mizu no KamiLocated in the scenic town of Ishinomaki, Water God Shrine is a Shinto site dedicated to the worship...
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.