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
Miyagi
Located in the town of Miharu, Miyagi Prefecture, Ōdake Shrine is dedicated to the Shinto god of agr...
View shrine →
Miyagi
ŌkuninushiLocated in the city of Kesennuma, Miyagi Prefecture, 駒形根神社 is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the...
View shrine →
Miyagi
Zaratsu-himeBear's Cave Shrine, located in Miyagi Prefecture, is a Shinto site dedicated to the kami of Mount Za...
View shrine →
Miyagi
Four-Society Shrine in Miyagi Prefecture is dedicated to the worship of four kami who are believed t...
View shrine →
Miyagi
Located in the city of Ichinoseki, Miyagi Prefecture, Toyama-jinja Shrine is a Shinto shrine dedicat...
View shrine →
Miyagi
InariLocated in the city of Kesennuma, Miyagi Prefecture, Furutou Shrine is a Shinto shrine dedicated to...
View shrine →
Miyagi
ŌyatsunosukeImamia Shrine, located in the city of Ishinomaki in Miyagi Prefecture, is dedicated to the Shinto ka...
View shrine →
Miyagi
MizumashiLocated in the historic city of Sendai, Sumiyamisou water shrine is a Shinto temple dedicated to wat...
View shrine →
Miyagi
Shitenno-Ō no kamiLocated in the town of Higashi Matsushima, Miyagi Prefecture, Shōtoku-oka Myo-jin-sa is an ancient S...
View shrine →
Miyagi
Taiyo no KamiLocated in the heart of Sendai, Dayu Shrine is a revered Shinto site dedicated to the god of storms...
View shrine →
Miyagi
Sugawara no MichizaneBetsutōmachi Tenjinsha, located in the heart of Sendai, Miyagi Prefecture, is a historic Shinto shri...
View shrine →
Miyagi
Inari OkamiLocated in the scenic Miyagi prefecture, 鹿野八幡神社 is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the primary de...
View shrine →
Miyagi
RyujinLocated in the town of Higashi-Matsushima, Miyagi Prefecture, the Ryuzenji Temple (also known as Ao...
View shrine →
Miyagi
KotoshogiLocated in the Tohoku region of northern Japan,北辰神社 (Kōtetsu-jinsha) is a Shinto shrine dedicate...
View shrine →
Miyagi
ŌkuninushiAutumn Leaves Shrine, located in the heart of Miyagi Prefecture, is a revered Shinto site dedicated...
View shrine →
Miyagi
KubikinashiLocated in the scenic Kesennuma City, Miyagi Prefecture, Kubikinashi Shrine is dedicated to the kami...
View shrine →
Miyagi
InariThe Dewa Sanzan Matsushima at Ishinomaki's neighboring shrine, Izumida Shrine in Miyagi Prefecture,...
View shrine →
Miyagi
Amaterasu ŌmikamiMiyako-jinja, the ancient Heian-era temple that gave rise to the modern-day Zao Onsen hot springs an...
View shrine →
Miyagi
Hiyayakushi Hiko-mi-no-kamiHeatayakohykomikagenja is a Shinto shrine located in the city of Kesennuma, Miyagi Prefecture, known...
View shrine →
Miyagi
HachimanPenjinsja Shrine, located in the scenic city of Sendai, is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the kami of...
View shrine →
Miyagi
Amaterasu-OkamiThree Islands Shrine, located in the heart of Kesennuma City, is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the de...
View shrine →
Miyagi
Inari OkamiKoyamatsu Inari Shrine is a Shinto shrine located in the northern part of Miyagi Prefecture, Japan....
View shrine →
Miyagi
SakigamiLocated in the scenic Matsushima district of Miyagi Prefecture, Bird's Nest Shrine is a Shinto templ...
View shrine →
Miyagi
TsukiyomiLocated in the heart of Sendai, Tsukubamichi, the main shrine of Zenshuji-ha Shinto is dedicated to...
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.