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
Akita
HieLocated in the heart of Akita Prefecture, the Daikōzan Hie Bird Shrine is a serene Shinto temple nes...
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Akita
Sanbu no KamiLocated in the heart of Akita Prefecture, Sanbu no Kami Shrine is one of Japan's oldest shrines, dat...
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Akita
Ryujin SanagiLocated in the heart of Akita, the Sanagi-jinsha Sōhon-miya is a revered Shinto shrine dedicated to...
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Akita
KinutaLocated in the heart of Akita Prefecture, the Jin'aku-den shrine is a serene oasis that honors the d...
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Akita
Mimasaka no kamiLocated in the Akita Prefecture,鹵嶋大明神 Shrine is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the deity Mimasaka...
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Akita
GodaiGodai Shrine is a Shinto shrine located in the town of Katsuta, Akita Prefecture, dedicated to the k...
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Akita
The Shūso Shrine in Akita Prefecture is dedicated to the kami of industry, commerce, and agriculture...
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Akita
Located in the Akita Prefecture, 機織神明社 is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the kami of weaving and...
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Akita
ShishimaiByori-sa Shrine, located in the city of Akita, is dedicated to the worship of various kami, includin...
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Akita
Inari OkamiLocated in the city of Akita, Honourable Village Shrine is a Shinto shrine dedicated to Inari Okami,...
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Akita
Inari Okami, Hachiman Okami, Futsu no KamiFutsu Island Shrine is a Shinto shrine located on Futsu Island in the Akita Prefecture, known for it...
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Akita
RyūjinLocated in the heart of Akita, Ryūtsu-jinja Shrine is one of the oldest Shinto shrines in the prefec...
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Akita
Seikan KamiLocated in the city of Akita, Seikan Inari Taisha is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the god of prosper...
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Akita
Hane no KamiLocated in the heart of Akita Prefecture, Honjo-ryu Shrine is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the deity...
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Akita
Located in the heart of Akita, Renga-ji Temple is a historic temple that dates back to the 7th centu...
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Akita
Susanoo-no-MikotoLocated in Akita Prefecture, Eight Horseshoe Shrine is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the god Susanoo-...
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Akita
Jinzai no kamiGold Sand Shrine, located in Akita Prefecture, is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the deity of gold and...
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Akita
KagutsuchiTobira-gu Addo Shrine, located in Akita Prefecture, is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the deity of fer...
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Akita
Ō-no-miya no KamiLocated in the heart of Akita city, Ōgata Jōnanai Shrine is dedicated to Ō-no-miya no Kami, a region...
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Akita
Ōkadatsunokami no KamiAkibayashi Shrine, located in Akita Prefecture, is dedicated to the Shinto deity of learning and edu...
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Akita
Susa-Ō-hachimanThis Shinto shrine in Akita Prefecture is dedicated to the kami of the sea and fishing, reflecting t...
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Akita
Ginyu-himeLocated in the heart of Akita, 清水神社 is a revered Shinto shrine dedicated to the water spirit kam...
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Akita
Kamado no Okayami, HachimanTenryu-ji Shrine in Akita Prefecture is dedicated to the deity of rice and agriculture, Kamado no Ok...
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Akita
IndraIndra Shrine, located in Akita Prefecture, is one of the oldest Shinto shrines in Japan. Dating back...
View shrine →Jump to Shinto shrines across Japan — 108 prefectures in our directory.
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