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
Okayama
Located in the Okayama Prefecture, this Shinto shrine is dedicated to the protection and prosperity...
View shrine →
Okayama
Located in the heart of Okayama city, Takehito-ji Shinto shrine is dedicated to Takehito-oki, a reve...
View shrine →
Okayama
nullLocated in the heart of Okayama Prefecture, this Shinto shrine is deeply rooted in the region's hist...
View shrine →
Okayama
Byūgai Yama no KamiByuguyamasan Shrine, located in the heart of Okayama city, is a sacred Shinto site dedicated to Byūg...
View shrine →
Okayama
Head Island Shrine, located on a small island in the Okayama Prefectural capital of Okayama City, is...
View shrine →
Okayama
Gyouda Shrine, located in the Okayama Prefecture, is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the kami of rice a...
View shrine →
Okayama
Inari OkamiLocated in the heart of Okayama City, Inari Shrine is a renowned Shinto site dedicated to Inari Okam...
View shrine →
Okayama
Fukui no OkamiLocated in the heart of Okayama Prefecture, Nagahatsuji Shrine, also known as Sakashima-dera, is a h...
View shrine →
Okayama
Inari Okami粟利郷天神社 is a Shinto shrine located in the Okayama Prefecture, dedicated to Inari Okami and othe...
View shrine →
Okayama
Zao no OkamiPrayer Park Shrine, located in Okayama Prefecture, is a sacred Shinto site that honors the spirits o...
View shrine →
Okayama
RaijinTenshū-jinsha, located in Okayama Prefecture, is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the gods of thunder an...
View shrine →
Okayama
Inari ŌkamiThe Ōkuninushi Shrine, dedicated to Inari Ōkami, is a Shinto shrine located in Okayama Prefecture. T...
View shrine →
Okayama
Fukushi SūjinFukushi Sūjin Indaimei is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the kami of prosperity, wealth, and good fort...
View shrine →
Okayama
RyūjinLocated in Okayama Prefecture, Ryūjinsha Shrine is dedicated to the Shinto god of the sea and storms...
View shrine →
Okayama
HachimanLocated in the heart of Okayama Prefecture, Eight Hamanate Hachiman Shrine is a sacred site that hon...
View shrine →
Okayama
Ōkuninushi國神社, located in the Okayama Prefecture, is a Shinto shrine dedicated to Ōkuninushi, one of the se...
View shrine →
倉敷市福江, 岡山
Kukuryū no OyajinWood grain kami, Kukuryū no Oyajin shrine in Fukue town of Onagawa district, Shikoku, is dedicated t...
View shrine →
Okayama
SōhoThe Sōho-jinja Shrine in Okayama Prefecture is dedicated to the Shinto kami of the same name, believ...
View shrine →
Okayama
Inari OkamiThe Saigūjima Inari Shrine, located in the city of Okayama, is dedicated to the Shinto deity Inari O...
View shrine →
Okayama
null高蔵神社, located in Okayama Prefecture, is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the kami of agricultural pr...
View shrine →
Okayama
Kusunoki no kamiBeppu Kusunoki Taisha, a Shinto shrine in Okayama Prefecture dedicated to the god of war and prosper...
View shrine →
Okayama
InariArashinsha is a Shinto shrine located in the city of Kurashiki, Okayama Prefecture, dedicated to Ina...
View shrine →
Okayama
Tamashino-Ō-no-MikotoReshū-jijinsha, located in Okayama Prefecture, is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the god of prosperity...
View shrine →
Okayama
Iizan-no-kamiLocated in the city of Kurashiki, Okayama Prefecture, Iizan-ta-jinja is a Shinto shrine 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.