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
Tokyo
Amaterasu and SusanooResha-ji Shrine, located in the heart of Setagaya Ward in Tokyo, is one of Japan's oldest and most r...
View shrine →
Chiba
Located in Chiba Prefecture, Kadowari Kasugano Shrine is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the god Kasuga...
View shrine →
Chiba
Gifu no MikotoLocated in the town of Yatsu, Chiba Prefecture, Gifu no Mikoto Shrine is a Shinto shrine dedicated t...
View shrine →
Tokyo
Amaterasu ŌmikamiChūbatsu-jinja is a Shinto shrine located in the heart of Chūō-ku, Tokyo. Dedicated to the sun godde...
View shrine →
Chiba
The Kinashi Inari Shrine in Chiba Prefecture is dedicated to the Shinto god of rice, fertility, and...
View shrine →
Chiba
Located in the heart of Chiba Prefecture, Ōmikage-jinja Shrine is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the w...
View shrine →
Chiba
Inari Okami新富稲荷神社, located in the heart of Chiba Prefecture, is a revered Shinto shrine dedicated to Inar...
View shrine →
Chiba
Inari Ō no OkamiUpon-irōdōrin Haidōjinja Shrine is a Shinto shrine located in the town of Wada, Chiba Prefecture. De...
View shrine →
Chiba
Located in the heart of Chiba Prefecture, Kinshochi-ro Shrine is a lesser-known Shinto shrine dedica...
View shrine →
Chiba
Fujin, InariLocated in the town of Katsuragawa, Chiba Prefecture, the Deok-sen-inlha (Deok-shipo) shrine is a Sh...
View shrine →
Chiba
Inari OkamiLocated in the city of Togume, Chiba Prefecture, Ukiyodaidairi Inari Shrine is a Shinto shrine dedic...
View shrine →
Chiba
AmaterasuThis Shinto shrine in Chiba Prefecture is dedicated to the kami of the 'lower heavens' and the heave...
View shrine →
墨田区, 東京都
Inari OkamiChi-no-ike Inari Shrine, located in the heart of Tokyo's Koto ward (not 墨田区), is dedicated to the...
View shrine →
Chiba
HachimanFlagoaka Hachiman Shrine is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the god of war, Hachiman, located in the ci...
View shrine →
Tokyo
Located in the heart of Setagaya, Tokyo, Clear Water Inari Shrine is one of Japan's most famous Shin...
View shrine →
Tokyo
Yamato no OkamiTotsuka Kubikayama Shrine is a Shinto shrine located in the Totsuka District of Kanagawa Prefecture,...
View shrine →
Chiba
Inari OkamiEast Kanto Forest Rice Shrine is a Shinto shrine located in Narita City, Chiba Prefecture. The shrin...
View shrine →
Tokyo
HachimanLocated in the heart of Setagaya, Tokyo, Sanewa Hachiman-gu is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the god...
View shrine →
Tokyo
Fūjin, BishamonLocated in the heart of Tokyo, Hundred Grass Eight-Horizontal Shrine is a Shinto temple dedicated to...
View shrine →
Tokyo
Inari OkamiThe Inari Shrine in Tokyo is one of the most famous Shinto shrines in Japan, dedicated to the kami I...
View shrine →
Tokyo
Inari ŌkamiUeno's oldest Shinto shrine, Senso-ji's rival in age and importance, bears the name of a powerful ka...
View shrine →
目黒区, 東京都
FutsunokamiLocated in the heart of Shibuya, Kamakura's northern woods have been home to this Shinto shrine sinc...
View shrine →
Tokyo
HachimanSmall but vibrant shrine located in the heart of Tokyo, dedicated to the Shinto god of war and ferti...
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.