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
Located in the scenic town of Nagareyama, Kinugisa Shrine is a historic Shinto shrine dedicated to I...
View shrine →
Tokyo
Kazehikari ŌkamiKazehikari Jinja is a Shinto shrine in the Tokyo ward of Adachi, dedicated to Kazehikari Ōkami and o...
View shrine →
Tokyo
Susanoo-no-MikotoLocated in the heart of Setagaya, Tokyo, Eight Horses Temple Shrine is one of the oldest Shinto shri...
View shrine →
Tokyo
Located in the heart of Tokyo, Shugaku-ji Shrine is dedicated to the god of learning and wisdom, Sug...
View shrine →
Tokyo
HachimanThe Eightfold Temple Shrine, located in the heart of Tokyo, is dedicated to the worship of Hachiman,...
View shrine →
Tokyo
HiryuLocated in the heart of Tokyo, Datsukawa Hiryu-jinja Shrine is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the deif...
View shrine →
Tokyo
Enmei大蔵氷川神社社務所 is a Shinto shrine located in the heart of Tokyo, dedicated to the kami Enmei, wh...
View shrine →
Tokyo
Located in the heart of Tokyo, 溝口神社 (Gōkanjinsha) is a serene Shinto shrine dedicated to the kam...
View shrine →
Chiba
SusanooLocated in the scenic northern part of Chiba Prefecture, North Shrine (Hokuto Jinja) is a well-known...
View shrine →
Chiba
FujinNew宿 Inari Shrine, located in the heart of New Chuo, Chiba Prefecture, is a Shinto shrine dedicated...
View shrine →
Chiba
InariHakone Inari Shrine, located in the picturesque town of Hakone, Chiba Prefecture, is a revered Shint...
View shrine →
Chiba
InariLocated in the heart of Kinsho-machi, Kinsho Inari Shrine is a Shinto temple dedicated to the god of...
View shrine →
Yamanashi
HachimanIfosaka Shrine, located in the town of Ogawa, Yamanashi Prefecture, is dedicated to the Shinto god o...
View shrine →
Tokyo
Amaterasu OmikamiLove Shrine is a Shinto shrine located in Bunkyo, Tokyo, dedicated to Amaterasu Omikami and Susanoo-...
View shrine →
Tokyo
SuijinMizuno-ji Shrine, located in Setagaya Ward, Tokyo, is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the god of good f...
View shrine →
Tokyo
OkamiLocated in the heart of Saitama City, just north of Tokyo, Hikawadatsumi Shrine honors the kami of t...
View shrine →
Tokyo
Tenzōn-kamiLocated in the heart of Tokyo, Tenzū-jin-sha Shinto shrine is one of Japan's oldest and most histori...
View shrine →
Tokyo
AmaterasuThe sixth heaven, a heavenly abode of the sun goddess Amaterasu, is enshrined at the Shinto shrine n...
View shrine →
Chiba
TenzūgamiNakajō-no-Miya Tenzū-gami-sha, located in the town of Nakajō in Chiba Prefecture, is a Shinto shrine...
View shrine →
Chiba
Amaterasu OmikamiTennando-ya Shrine is a Shinto shrine located in the city of Chiba, Chiba Prefecture. The shrine is...
View shrine →
Chiba
Hachiman OkamiSwollen-leg Shrine, a Shinto shrine located in the town of Ōtō, Chiba Prefecture, is famous for its...
View shrine →
Tokyo
Uragashi no KamiLocated in the heart of Setagaya, Shinjuku Ward, Tokyo, Uragashi Shrine is a Shinto shrine dedicated...
View shrine →
Tokyo
Amaterasu, SusanooLocated in the heart of Tokyo, Ise-Sha Shrine is not actually located in Tokyo but in Mie Prefecture...
View shrine →
Tokyo
InariThe Katsura Shrine, located in Tokyo's Setagaya ward, is a Shinto temple dedicated to the god of mus...
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.