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
Shimane
Tatsukuni OkamiEight-district Great General God Shrine is a Shinto shrine located in the town of Mairitsu, Shimane...
View shrine →
Shimane
Ōsaka-taishaLocated in the heart of Shimane Prefecture, Ōsaka-jinja Shrine is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the g...
View shrine →
Shimane
Mutsu-no-okamiLocated in the scenic Matsue city of Shimane Prefecture, 湊神社 (Matsushima Shrine) is a revered Shi...
View shrine →
Shimane
SōgenLocated in the town of Yasugi, Shimane Prefecture, Sōgen-jinshū is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the...
View shrine →
Shimane
InariGofuku-ji Shrine, dedicated to the Shinto god Inari Okami, is a historic and sacred site located in...
View shrine →
Shimane
FujinLocated in the Kotohira district of Iwakuni, Shimane Prefecture, Imasato Uenohara Shrine is dedicate...
View shrine →
Shimane
InariAutumn Leaf Shrine, located in the town of Matsue in Shimane Prefecture, is a Shinto shrine dedicate...
View shrine →
Shimane
Dei and KōryūLocated in the city of Yotsukushiba, Shimane Prefecture, Deiokōryū Jinja is a Shinto shrine dedicate...
View shrine →
Shimane
HachimanLocated in the town of Matsue, Shimane Prefecture, Minamisato Shrine is dedicated to the Shinto god...
View shrine →
Shimane
Konakamimikei-OkamiThe Araki-zukuri style temple, characteristic of the San'in region, houses the revered deity, Konaka...
View shrine →
Shimane
located in the heart of matsue city, the shrine is dedicated to okuninushi-okami, a kami believed to...
View shrine →
Shimane
HachimanLocated in the scenic city of Matsue, Shimane Prefecture, Hieizan Taisha is a historic Shinto shrine...
View shrine →
Shimane
GamiKōgani Shrine, located in Shimane Prefecture, is dedicated to the Shinto god of rice and fertility....
View shrine →
Shimane
KingaKinga Shrine, located in Shimane Prefecture, is a Shinto shrine dedicated to Kinga, the kami of merc...
View shrine →
Shimane
nullLocated in the scenic town of Izumo, Yamaguchi Prefecture, is the Shinto shrine dedicated to Inari O...
View shrine →
Shimane
GuryuGouryu Shrine, located in Shimane Prefecture, is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the rice god, Guryu ka...
View shrine →
Shimane
nullLocated in the heart of Shimane Prefecture, 神社 (Jinja) is a revered Shinto shrine that has been fa...
View shrine →
Shimane
Jitsurenokami no OkamiLocated in the town of Uba, Shimane Prefecture, Jaisai-jinja Shrine is a Shinto shrine dedicated to...
View shrine →
Shimane
InariGold Light Inari Shrine is a Shinto shrine located in the Kamo River valley of Matsumoto City, Shima...
View shrine →
Shimane
Tennōji-in no kamiBig Smile God Shrine, located in the town of Kasaoka in Shimane Prefecture, is a Shinto shrine dedic...
View shrine →
Shimane
SusanooLocated in the city of Matsue, Shimane Prefecture, Takemikazuchi Shrine is a Shinto shrine dedicated...
View shrine →
Shimane
MichizaneLocated in Shimane Prefecture, Matsue Tenmangu Shrine is dedicated to Sugawara no Michizane, a rever...
View shrine →
Shimane
TakamatsuhikoLocated in the city of Matsue, Shimane Prefecture, Upper Takase eight-horned shrine is a Shinto shri...
View shrine →
Shimane
HachimanLocated in the city of Matsue, Shimane Prefecture, Eight Horses Temple Grand Shrine is a historic Sh...
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.