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
Ishikawa
Located in the heart of Kanazawa, Ishikawa prefecture, Uono Shrine is a Shinto sanctuary that has be...
View shrine →
Ishikawa
Inari ŌkamiTenshūjinsha is a Shinto shrine located in Kanazawa, the capital city of Ishikawa Prefecture, known...
View shrine →
Ishikawa
Inari, Fujin RyujinLocated in the city of Kanazawa, Shirojisan Shrine is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the god Inari Oka...
View shrine →
Ishikawa
Omi-OkamiHighgrove Shrine, located in the town of Katsuta, Ishikawa Prefecture, is dedicated to the Shinto de...
View shrine →
Ishikawa
nullHighly revered in the Katsuo region of Ishikawa, High Lily Shrine is dedicated to Okunitama-no-okami...
View shrine →
Ishikawa
EbisuWhite Mountain Shrine, located in the heart of Japan's Kansai region, is a revered Shinto site dedic...
View shrine →
Ishikawa
HachimanLocated in the city of Kanazawa, Ishikawa Prefecture, the Hachiman Shrine is one of Japan's most fam...
View shrine →
Ishikawa
HachimanLocated in the scenic city of Kanazawa, Eight Horseshoe Shrine is one of Japan's oldest shrines and...
View shrine →
Ishikawa
Kasuga TsukuyomiLocated in the city of Kanazawa, Godai Jingu is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the god of rice and fer...
View shrine →
Ishikawa
Susa-no-OkamiTonosaburo Shrine, dedicated to the Shinto deity Susa-no-Okami, is a sacred site located in Ishikawa...
View shrine →
Ishikawa
RyujinLocated in the mountains of Ishikawa Prefecture, North Garden Shrine is a serene and peaceful Shinto...
View shrine →
Ishikawa
RyujinLocated in the city of Kanazawa, spring day shrine is one of Japan's oldest shrines dedicated to Ryu...
View shrine →
Ishikawa
HachimanThe Eight-Horned Shrine, also known as Hachimangū, is a Shinto shrine located in Ishikawa Prefecture...
View shrine →
Ishikawa
Hachiman TenjinLocated in the heart of Japan's mountainous region, White Mountain Shrine is a Shinto temple dedicat...
View shrine →
Ishikawa
HachimanLocated in the Japanese Alps, White Mountain Shrine is one of Japan's oldest shrines dedicated to th...
View shrine →
Ishikawa
Tokihi no kamiLocated in the heart of Kanazawa, Higashi Chaya District,登知爲神社 is a Shinto shrine dedicated to...
View shrine →
Ishikawa
Koma-daijinWhite Mountain Shrine, located in Ishikawa Prefecture, is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the kami of M...
View shrine →
Ishikawa
Kaito-no-OkamiThe Godaidan Shrine in Ishikawa Prefecture is dedicated to the deity of the region, known as Kaito-n...
View shrine →
Ishikawa
Hakusan no kamiWhite Mountain Shrine, located in the scenic town of Katsuyama in Ishikawa Prefecture, is a Shinto s...
View shrine →
Ishikawa
nullLocated in the heart of Japan's Kanto region, Dayotsu Jigoku Shrine is a revered Shinto site dedicat...
View shrine →
Ishikawa
AmaterasuLocated in the city of Kanazawa, Higashi-ji Temple, or Dayotsu-jinja, is a Shinto shrine dedicated t...
View shrine →
Ishikawa
HachimanWhite Mountain Shrine, located in the town of Katsuyama, Ishikawa Prefecture, is dedicated to the Sh...
View shrine →
Ishikawa
Haru Ichigo GamiHaruichigo Shrine, located in the city of Kanazawa, Ishikawa Prefecture, is dedicated to the Shinto...
View shrine →
Ishikawa
InariLocated in the scenic prefecture of Ishikawa, 美峰稲荷神社 is a serene Shinto shrine nestled among l...
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.