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
Kotohira Shrine
Kochi
Okuninushi no MikotoKotohira Shrine is a Shinto shrine in Kochi Prefecture dedicated to Okuninushi no Mikoto, the deity...
View shrine →
Kotohira Shrine
Kochi
Ōmononushi-no-mikotoKotohira Shrine in Kochi Prefecture is dedicated to Ōmononushi-no-mikoto, the principal deity of Kom...
View shrine →
Kotohira Shrine
Kochi
ŌmononushiKotohira Shrine is a Shinto shrine in Kochi Prefecture dedicated to Ōmononushi, the deity of sea saf...
View shrine →
Koyabu Mishima Shrine
Kochi
Oyamatsumi-no-MikotoA local Mishima shrine in Kochi Prefecture dedicated to Oyamatsumi-no-Mikoto, the Shinto deity of mo...
View shrine →
Kumano Shrine
Kochi
Kumano Gongen deitiesA Kumano shrine in Kochi Prefecture that enshrines the three principal Kumano deities. Part of the w...
View shrine →
Kumano Shrine
Kochi
Kumano Gongen (Kumano deities)A Kumano shrine in Kochi Prefecture that enshrines the deities of the Kumano faith. Like other Kuman...
View shrine →
Kumano Shrine
Kochi
Kumano GongenA Kumano shrine in Kochi Prefecture dedicated to the Kumano deities, part of the widespread network...
View shrine →
Kumano Shrine
Kochi
Kumano GongenA Kumano shrine in Kochi Prefecture dedicated to the deities of the Kumano mountains. Part of the wi...
View shrine →
Kurishima Shrine
Kochi
HachimanKurishima Shrine is a Hachiman shrine located in Kochi Prefecture, dedicated to the deity of war and...
View shrine →
Kusanohime Shrine
Kochi
Kusanohime-no-MikotoA Shinto shrine in Kochi Prefecture dedicated to Kusanohime-no-Mikoto, a kami associated with vegeta...
View shrine →
Kusunoki Shrine
Kochi
Kusunoki MasashigeA shrine dedicated to Kusunoki Masashige, the legendary 14th-century samurai and military strategist...
View shrine →
Kuwa-no-kawa Torii Cedar
Kochi
A sacred cedar tree (sugi) that naturally grew in the distinctive shape of a torii gate, located in...
View shrine →
Matsumoto Shrine
Kochi
A Shinto shrine located in Kochi Prefecture, serving the local community with traditional religious...
View shrine →
Matsuo Shrine
Kochi
Oyamakui-no-kamiMatsuo Shrine is a Shinto shrine in Kochi Prefecture dedicated to Oyamakui-no-kami, the deity of Mou...
View shrine →
Meguromeguro Yamanokami Shrine
Kochi
Mountain deityA mountain shrine in Kochi Prefecture dedicated to Yamanokami, the Shinto deity of mountains. The sh...
View shrine →
Mihashira Shrine
Kochi
Hachiman Okami and associated deitiesMihashira Shrine is a Hachiman shrine located in Kochi Prefecture that venerates three principal dei...
View shrine →
Mikura Shrine
Kochi
Hachiman deity and local protective spiritsMikura Shrine is a Shinto shrine in Kochi Prefecture dedicated to Hachiman, the syncretic deity of w...
View shrine →
Mishima Daimyojin Shrine
Kochi
Oyamatsumi-no-MikotoA Shinto shrine in Kochi Prefecture dedicated to Oyamatsumi-no-Mikoto, the deity of mountains and se...
View shrine →
Mishima Shrine
Kochi
Oyamatsumi-no-MikotoA Shinto shrine in Kochi Prefecture dedicated to Oyamatsumi-no-Mikoto, the kami of mountains and sea...
View shrine →
Mishima Shrine
Kochi
Oyamatsumi-no-MikotoMishima Shrine in Kochi Prefecture is dedicated to Oyamatsumi-no-Mikoto, the mountain deity. Like ot...
View shrine →
Mishima Shrine
Kochi
Oyamatsumi-no-MikotoMishima Shrine in Kochi Prefecture is dedicated to Oyamatsumi-no-Mikoto, the Shinto deity of mountai...
View shrine →
Mishima Shrine
Kochi
Oyamatsumi-no-kamiMishima Shrine is a Shinto shrine in Kochi Prefecture dedicated to Oyamatsumi-no-kami, the deity of...
View shrine →
Mishima Shrine
Kochi
Oyamatsumi-no-MikotoMishima Shrine is dedicated to Oyamatsumi-no-Mikoto, the Shinto deity of mountains and sea. As part...
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.