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
Chiba
InariLocated in the town of Katsuta, Chiba Prefecture, Kūso Inari Shrine is dedicated to Inari Okami, the...
View shrine →
Tokyo
DayehDayeh Jinja, a Shinto shrine in Tokyo's Setagaya ward, is dedicated to the kami of the same name. Th...
View shrine →
Tokyo
Yamato-no-O-no-KamiLocated in the heart of Tokyo, Yamato-no-Mikoto Shrine is a sacred site dedicated to the revered dei...
View shrine →
Tokyo
TenninThis Shinto shrine in Tokyo is dedicated to the Kami of rice, prosperity, and good fortune. The shri...
View shrine →
Chiba
SeisenSeisen Inari Shrine, located in the heart of Chiba Prefecture, is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the G...
View shrine →
Tokyo
RyujinWhite Gold Dragon Palace Shrine, located in the heart of Tokyo, is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the...
View shrine →
Tokyo
Yamato no OkamiLocated in the heart of Tokyo, 山王社 is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the god of storms and agricult...
View shrine →
Tokyo
RyujinLocated in Tokyo's Setagaya Ward, the Hie Shrine is dedicated to the Shinto god of fertility, water,...
View shrine →
Tokyo
Located in the heart of Tokyo, Sanjojinja Shrine is a revered Shinto site dedicated to the three god...
View shrine →
Tokyo
AmaterasuThe Hieizan Shrine is a prominent Shinto shrine located in the heart of Tokyo, Japan. Dedicated to t...
View shrine →
Tokyo
HōraiNishiyama-Edo Shrine, also known as Nisei-Edo Shrine or Nishiuma Shrine, is a Shinto shrine located...
View shrine →
Tokyo
Tenjōin Okuninushi上根神社 is a Shinto shrine located in the Setagaya ward of Tokyo, dedicated to the Kami of fertilit...
View shrine →
Tokyo
HachimanKamagaya Shrine, dedicated to the Shinto deity Hachiman, is a notable site in Tokyo's eastern region...
View shrine →
Tokyo
Inari小山神社 is a Shinto shrine located in the Setagaya ward of Tokyo, dedicated to the kami Inari. The...
View shrine →
Tokyo
Kawagoe Daitoshogu Shrine is a Shinto shrine located in the Saitama Prefecture, not Tokyo. Located n...
View shrine →
Tokyo
InariLocated in the heart of Setagaya, this Shinto shrine is dedicated to Inari Okami, the god of fertili...
View shrine →
Tokyo
Inari ŌkamiInari Okami Shrine, a Shinto shrine dedicated to Inari Ōkami, the kami of rice and fertility, is loc...
View shrine →
千代田区, 東京都
Inari OkamiMeari-cho Taida Hime Inari Shrine, located in the heart of Tokyo's Chiyoda ward, is a historic Shint...
View shrine →
Tokyo
Fujin, Katsuragi, and SakuraLocated in the heart of Setagaya, this Shinto shrine is dedicated to the god of spring, Fujin and th...
View shrine →
Tokyo
KamiWhite Mountain Shrine, located in Setagaya Ward, Tokyo, is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the kami of...
View shrine →
Tokyo
Inari OkamiLocated in the heart of Tokyo, IZUEDA SANBA DAININGUSHIN is a revered Shinto shrine dedicated to Ina...
View shrine →
Chiba
Hakuji清瀧神社, located in the scenic town of Nikkō in Chiba Prefecture, is a Shinto shrine dedicated to t...
View shrine →
Chiba
Inari Okami Hoshiman no KamiLocated in the prefecture of Chiba, 川中島神明神社 is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the kami, Inari O...
View shrine →
Chiba
BenzaitenAndashima Benzaiten Taisha is a Shinto shrine located in the town of Sakuragahara, Chiba Prefecture....
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.