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
Shiga
Ōsaka-taijinLocated in the city of Nagahama, Ōsaka-taijin-sha is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the god of commerc...
View shrine →
Shiga
Futsunushi Okami, Inari OkamiLocated in the city of Hikone, Omi-ko Shrine is dedicated to the deity of boats and ships, Futsunush...
View shrine →
Shiga
HikoboshiGekidojinja Shrine is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the kami of the forest and its inhabitants, locat...
View shrine →
Shiga
InariInari Shrine, located in Echizen District of Maibara City, is a Shinto shrine dedicated to Inari Oka...
View shrine →
Shiga
BerugamiBerukigami Shrine, located in Echizen town of Shiga prefecture, is a historic Shinto shrine dedicate...
View shrine →
Shiga
AmaterasuSpring Day Shrine, located in the Shiga Prefecture, is dedicated to the sun goddess Amaterasu and he...
View shrine →
Shiga
Myōchin-ya Shrine, located in the city of Hikone in Shiga Prefecture, is a Shinto shrine dedicated t...
View shrine →
Shiga
Inari OkamiNishiyama Shrine, also known as Nishiyama Onsen Odo, is a Shinto shrine located in the town of Nishi...
View shrine →
Shiga
TenjinLocated in the picturesque town of Katsura, Shiga Prefecture, Tenman-ji Temple is a prominent Shinto...
View shrine →
Shiga
Yoshitsune MinamotoThe Crowned Hall Shrine, located in Shiga Prefecture, is dedicated to the Shinto deity of learning a...
View shrine →
Shiga
HachimanLocated in the beautiful Echizen region of Japan, Hachiman Shrine's Eighteen-stage Pilgrimage, or Ya...
View shrine →
Shiga
Inari OkamiTosasu Inari Shrine is a Shinto shrine located in the town of Koka, Shiga Prefecture, Japan. The shr...
View shrine →
Shiga
HachimanLocated in the city of Omi-ya, Shiga Prefecture, Tenno-machi Shrine is a Shinto shrine dedicated to...
View shrine →
Shiga
Fuwa-nushiEight Sorrows Shrine, located in the town of Katsuyama in Shiga Prefecture, is dedicated to the kami...
View shrine →
Shiga
Amaterasu OmikamiLocated in the city of Hikone, Shiga Prefecture, Katsuragi Shrine is a revered Shinto site dedicated...
View shrine →
Shiga
Inugami no OkamiInugami Shrine is a Shinto shrine located in Omi-Hachiman, Shiga Prefecture. Dedicated to Inugami no...
View shrine →
Shiga
Hachiman ŌkamiLocated in the city of Omi, Hachiman-ji Temple is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the deity Hachiman Ōk...
View shrine →
Shiga
Tsunetsugu Ōno-Ōno Kami国津神社 is a Shinto shrine located in the city of Hikone, Shiga Prefecture. The shrine is dedicated...
View shrine →
Shiga
AmaterasuLocated in the city of Hikone, Omi Jingu is one of Japan's most famous Shinto shrines dedicated to t...
View shrine →
Shiga
InariIndo-Sarumaya Jinsha, or Oinaka-jinja, is an ancient Shinto shrine located in Yashima Park, Lake Biw...
View shrine →
Shiga
Tsukuyomi-gami綾野天満宮 is a Shinto shrine located in the city of Koka, Shiga Prefecture, dedicated to Tsukuyomi-...
View shrine →
Shiga
OtohimeLocated in the city of Hikone, Shiga Prefecture, Eight-Sacred-Mountain Shrine is one of Japan's most...
View shrine →
枚方市, Shiga
Ōtomo no Yakamochi菅原神社 is a Shinto shrine located in Ōtsu, Shiga Prefecture, dedicated to the god of learning and...
View shrine →
Shiga
HachimanLocated in the city of Nagahama, Shiga Prefecture, Ninna-ji Temple's subsidiary shrine is Eight Brid...
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.