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
Sugimoto Shrine
Kochi
A Shinto shrine located in Kochi Prefecture, known for its connection to local community worship and...
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Sukumo Daimyojin Shrine
Kochi
A local Shinto shrine in Sukumo City, Kochi Prefecture, serving as a spiritual center for the coasta...
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Sukunahikona Shrine
Kochi
Sukunahikona-no-MikotoA Shinto shrine in Kochi Prefecture dedicated to Sukunahikona-no-Mikoto, a deity associated with med...
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Sumiyoshi Shrine
Kochi
Sumiyoshi Sanjin (three sea deities)A Sumiyoshi shrine in Kochi Prefecture dedicated to the three Sumiyoshi sea deities. These shrines t...
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Sumiyoshi Shrine
Kochi
Sumiyoshi Sanjin (three sea deities)Sumiyoshi Shrine in Kochi Prefecture is dedicated to the three Sumiyoshi deities, ancient Shinto kam...
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Sumiyoshi Shrine
Kochi
Sumiyoshi Sanjin (three sea deities)A Sumiyoshi shrine in Kochi Prefecture dedicated to the three Sumiyoshi sea deities who are revered...
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Sumiyoshi Shrine
Kochi
Sumiyoshi Sanjin (three Sumiyoshi kami)A Sumiyoshi shrine in Kochi Prefecture dedicated to the three Sumiyoshi kami, ancient Shinto deities...
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Sumiyoshi Shrine
Kochi
Sumiyoshi Sanjin (Three Sumiyoshi Kami)A Sumiyoshi shrine in Kochi Prefecture dedicated to the three Sumiyoshi kami, ancient Shinto deities...
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Suwa Shrine
Kochi
Takeminakata-no-MikotoSuwa Shrine in Kochi Prefecture is a branch shrine of the famous Suwa Taisha in Nagano Prefecture. L...
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Suwa Shrine
Kochi
Takeminakata-no-MikotoSuwa Shrine in Kochi Prefecture is a local branch of the Suwa faith, dedicated to the warrior deity...
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Suwa Shrine
Kochi
Takeminakata-no-MikotoSuwa Shrine in Kochi Prefecture is a local branch of the Suwa shrine network, dedicated to the warri...
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Tachi Shrine
Kochi
A Shinto shrine located in Kochi Prefecture, dedicated to sword-related deities or possibly connecte...
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Takahashi Shrine
Kochi
A Shinto shrine located in Kochi Prefecture, known for its connection to local kami worship and comm...
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Takashiro Shrine
Kochi
A Shinto shrine located in Kochi Prefecture, dedicated to local protective deities. The shrine serve...
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Takeo Shrine
Kochi
Yamato Takeru no MikotoTakeo Shrine is a Shinto shrine in Kochi Prefecture dedicated to the legendary prince and hero Yamat...
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Taki Kotai Shrine
Kochi
Amaterasu OmikamiA Shinto shrine in Kochi Prefecture dedicated to Amaterasu Omikami, the sun goddess and supreme deit...
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Tamo Hachiman Shrine
Kochi
Hachiman (god of war and divine protection)A Hachiman shrine located in Kochi Prefecture dedicated to the deified Emperor Ojin and associated d...
View shrine →Jump to Shinto shrines across Japan — 108 prefectures in our directory.
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