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
Atsuta Kodaijingu
Gifu
Amaterasu OmikamiAtsuta Kodaijingu is a prominent Shinto shrine in Gifu Prefecture dedicated to Amaterasu Omikami, th...
View shrine →Atsuta Shrine
Gifu
A local Shinto shrine in Gifu Prefecture that shares its name with the famous Atsuta Shrine in Nagoy...
View shrine →Atsuta Shrine
Gifu
Local protective deitiesA Shinto shrine in Gifu Prefecture that shares its name with the famous Atsuta Shrine in Nagoya. Thi...
View shrine →Atsuta Shrine
Gifu
Atsuta no OkamiA local Atsuta Shrine in Gifu Prefecture, likely sharing its name and dedication with the famous Ats...
View shrine →Atsuta Shrine
Gifu
Amaterasu OmikamiA Shinto shrine in Gifu Prefecture dedicated to the same deities as the famous Atsuta Shrine in Nago...
View shrine →Atsuta Shrine
Gifu
Atsuta no OkamiA Shinto shrine in Gifu Prefecture sharing its name with the famous Atsuta Shrine in Nagoya. Like ma...
View shrine →Betsugu Ichimokuren Shrine
Gifu
Ichimokuren-no-KamiA shrine dedicated to Ichimokuren-no-Kami, a one-eyed deity known for keen insight and the ability t...
View shrine →Chiryu Shrine
Gifu
Yamato Takeru no MikotoA Shinto shrine dedicated to Yamato Takeru no Mikoto, known for its connection to travel safety and...
View shrine →Chisui Shrine
Gifu
Water management and flood prevention deitiesChisui Shrine is dedicated to deities associated with water management and flood control. The name '...
View shrine →Chisui Shrine
Gifu
Water control deitiesChisui Shrine is a Shinto shrine in Gifu Prefecture dedicated to water control and flood prevention....
View shrine →Chubu Akiba Shrine
Gifu
Homusubi no MikotoA local Akiba shrine in Gifu Prefecture dedicated to fire prevention and protection. Like other Akib...
View shrine →Chukonsha Shrine
Gifu
Spirits of war deadChukonsha is a memorial shrine dedicated to honoring the spirits of those who died in service to Jap...
View shrine →Daikinrin Shrine
Gifu
Kongokai Dainichi NyoraiA shrine incorporating Buddhist elements, dedicated to Kongokai Dainichi Nyorai, representing the di...
View shrine →Daiko Hachiman Shrine
Gifu
Hachiman, deity of war and divine protectionA Hachiman shrine in Gifu Prefecture dedicated to the deified Emperor Ojin and associated kami. Hach...
View shrine →Daikoku Ebisu Shrine
Gifu
Daikokuten and EbisuA shrine dedicated to the dual worship of Daikokuten and Ebisu, two of Japan's most beloved deities...
View shrine →Fuji Sengen Shrine
Gifu
Konohanasakuya-himeA Sengen shrine in Gifu Prefecture dedicated to the worship of Mount Fuji and its presiding deity. P...
View shrine →Fuji Shrine
Gifu
Konohanasakuya-himeA Fuji shrine dedicated to the goddess of Mount Fuji, Konohanasakuya-hime. These shrines are found t...
View shrine →Fuji Shrine
Gifu
Konohanasakuya-himeA local Fuji shrine in Gifu Prefecture dedicated to the mountain deity Konohanasakuya-hime. These sh...
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.