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
Hyogo
DaikokutenLocated in Hyogo Prefecture, the Okazaki Daikinen-gu Shrine is dedicated to the kami of good luck an...
View shrine →
Hyogo
Inari Ōkami, Yamatano Orochi-no-Mikoto, Katsushika-no-Kami厳島神社 is a Shinto shrine located in Hyogo Prefecture, dedicated to the god of the sea and storms,...
View shrine →
Hyogo
Hata no kamiLocated in the heart of Hyogo Prefecture, Eight Horseshoe Shrine is one of Japan's most famous and w...
View shrine →
Hyogo
Tamayama no Okami長田神社 (Nagata Shrine) is a Shinto shrine located in Hyogo Prefecture, Japan. Dedicated to the kam...
View shrine →
Hyogo
Amaterasu, Susanoo-no-kamiResha-gi-jinja, a Shinto shrine located in the city of Kobe, Hyogo Prefecture, is dedicated to the s...
View shrine →
Hyogo
HachimanLocated in the city of Kobe, Adda no Sato Shrine is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the god Hachiman an...
View shrine →
Hyogo
TakaokamiRock House Shrine, located in Hyogo Prefecture, is a lesser-known Shinto shrine dedicated to the kam...
View shrine →
Hyogo
Inari OkamiTsumigashima Shrine is a Shinto shrine located in the city of Akashi, Hyogo Prefecture. Dedicated to...
View shrine →
Hyogo
Inari, OtohimeTsumi Shrine is a Shinto temple dedicated to the sea god Otohime and the wind god Inari, located on...
View shrine →
Hyogo
nullLocated in the city of Kobe, Hyogo Prefecture, Tenryu-ji Temple is one of Japan's oldest and most re...
View shrine →
Hyogo
Located in the heart of Kobe, Higashi-Sakai Ward, Wood Garden Shrine is a historic Shinto site dedic...
View shrine →
Hyogo
InariLocated in Hyogo Prefecture, Shitennō-ji Temple's sister shrine is Inari Okunoina. This Shinto shrin...
View shrine →
Hyogo
Tennyo no OkamiLocated in the heart of Hyogo Prefecture, Fukuoka-ji Shrine is dedicated to the kami of good fortune...
View shrine →
Hyogo
Jishu-Kami (Traveling God)The Ōmura-juku-Ōmiya Shrine, also known as Ojirōso, is a Shinto shrine located in Hyogo Prefecture....
View shrine →
Hyogo
Inari OkamiSakamoto Shrine, located in Hyogo Prefecture, is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the worship of Inari O...
View shrine →
Hyogo
Located in Hyogo Prefecture,HAMAYAMATENAIINASA Shrine is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the kami of th...
View shrine →
Hyogo
OkuninushiHamaharu no Miyatsunomiya is a Shinto shrine located in the harbor area of Kobe, Hyogo Prefecture. T...
View shrine →
Hyogo
InariLocated in Hyogo Prefecture, the Inari Shrine is one of Japan's most famous Shinto shrines, dedicate...
View shrine →
Hyogo
Takamatsu Shrine, located in Hyogo Prefecture, is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the deities of the Sa...
View shrine →
Hyogo
SenshuThis Shinto shrine in Hyogo Prefecture is dedicated to Senshu, a kami associated with the sea and na...
View shrine →
Hyogo
KannonLocated in Hyogo Prefecture, 岩倉山観音堂 is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the Bodhisattva of Compass...
View shrine →
Hyogo
IchiEast Ichi Shrine is dedicated to the Shinto god Ichi, who is revered as a deity of wealth and prospe...
View shrine →
Hyogo
Ōtsu no OkamiThis Shinto shrine, dedicated to Ōtsu no Okami, is located in the town of Ōnojutsu in Hyogo Prefectu...
View shrine →
Hyogo
Located in the city of Kobe, Hyogo Prefecture, Kamiyama Godaidan is a Shinto shrine dedicated to God...
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.