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
Ishikawa
OinagisamaEight Horseshoe Shrine, located in the town of Katsuyama in Ishikawa Prefecture, is a Shinto shrine...
View shrine →
Ishikawa
Susanoo-no-MikotoLocated in the city of Kanazawa, Eight Horses Temple Shrine is a Shinto temple dedicated to the kami...
View shrine →
Ishikawa
TenjinLocated in the city of Kanazawa, Eight Horseshoe Shrine is one of Japan's most famous Shinto shrines...
View shrine →
Ishikawa
Susanoo-no-MikotoLocated in the city of Kanazawa, Ishikawa Prefecture, Eight Horses Temple (Hachi no Shirine) is a Sh...
View shrine →
Ishikawa
HachimanLocated in the Japanese prefecture of Ishikawa, Eight Horses Temple Shrine is a Shinto shrine dedica...
View shrine →
Ishikawa
HachimanKanazawa's famous Ontake Shrine is dedicated to Hachiman, the god of war and patron deity of the Tak...
View shrine →
Ishikawa
InariLocated in the city of Kanazawa, Higashi Chaya District's Goda Jinsha Shrine is one of the oldest sh...
View shrine →
Ishikawa
HachimanLocated in the Higashi-kanazawa district of Kanazawa, the West Eighteen Bridges Shrine is dedicated...
View shrine →
Ishikawa
Bokumyan Jingū is a Shinto shrine located in the mountains of Ishikawa Prefecture, Japan. The shrine...
View shrine →
Ishikawa
Located in the mountains of Ishikawa Prefecture, Matsugase-zaka Shrine is a lesser-known Shinto shri...
View shrine →
Ishikawa
BishamontenEight-Horned Shrine, dedicated to the Shinto kami of storms and good fortune, is a prominent site in...
View shrine →
Ishikawa
HachimanLocated in the town of Katsuyama, Ishikawa Prefecture, White Mountain Shrine is a Shinto shrine dedi...
View shrine →
Ishikawa
HachimanEight Hagoromo Shrine is a Shinto shrine located in Hakusan-cho, Kamono-gun, Ishikawa Prefecture. De...
View shrine →
Ishikawa
Fudo Myoo, the Unmoving Buddha, is enshrined at Noto-son Shrine in Ishikawa Prefecture. Founded duri...
View shrine →
Ishikawa
SusanooLocated in the city of Kanazawa, Ishikawa Prefecture, Eight Humps Shrine is a Shinto shrine dedicate...
View shrine →
Ishikawa
Yari no Tomobe no OkamiLocated in the mountains of Ishikawa Prefecture, White Mountain Shrine is a revered Shinto site dedi...
View shrine →
Ishikawa
HachimanLocated in the city of Kanazawa, Ishikawa Prefecture, Eight Horseshoe Shrine is one of Japan's most...
View shrine →
Ishikawa
KanmusuSpring Day Shrine in Ishikawa Prefecture is a historic Shinto shrine dedicated to the kami of spring...
View shrine →
Ishikawa
InariLocated in Ishikawa Prefecture, the Inari Shrine is dedicated to the Shinto god of rice and fertilit...
View shrine →
Ishikawa
OkuninushiLocated in the city of Kanazawa, Shikanosenji Shrine is dedicated to Okuninushi, the god of rice fie...
View shrine →
Ishikawa
Yama no OkamiLocated in the scenic mountains of Ishikawa Prefecture, Mount Shrine is a revered Shinto site honori...
View shrine →
Ishikawa
RyujinAkibayashi Shrine, located in the heart of Kanazawa, is one of Japan's most beautiful and historic s...
View shrine →
Ishikawa
Kusunoki MasashigeLocated in the mountains of Ishikawa Prefecture, Village Town White Mountain Shrine is a Shinto shri...
View shrine →
Ishikawa
HachimanLocated in the city of Kanazawa, Ishikawa Prefecture, Ifriya-miya Hachimangū (若宮八幡神社) is one o...
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.