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
Hokuto no Okami白山神社 is a Shinto shrine located in the mountains of Ishikawa Prefecture, dedicated to the god of...
View shrine →
Ishikawa
HachimanLocated in the city of Kanazawa, Eight-Horned Shrine (Hachimangū) is a Shinto shrine dedicated to Ha...
View shrine →
Ishikawa
MyojinLocated in the mountains of Ishikawa Prefecture, White Mountain Shrine (Shiro-yama Jinja) is a Shint...
View shrine →
Ishikawa
Fujin OkamiLocated in the city of Kanazawa, Ishikawa Prefecture, Eight-Horsed Shrine is a Shinto temple dedicat...
View shrine →
Ishikawa
Inari OkamiThe Residence of the Sun God,住吉神社 is a Shinto shrine located in Ishikawa Prefecture, dedicated t...
View shrine →
Ishikawa
GodaiGodai Shrine, located in the city of Kanazawa, Ishikawa Prefecture, is a Shinto shrine dedicated to...
View shrine →
Ishikawa
Susanoo-no-MikotoLocated in the city of Kanazawa, Hie Izumida Shrine is dedicated to the Shinto god Yatagarasu, a myt...
View shrine →
Ishikawa
HachimanAndo Hachiman-miya Shrine is a Shinto temple located in Ando town, Kanazawa city, Ishikawa Prefectur...
View shrine →
Ishikawa
Deo EiLocated in the Japanese Alps, White Mountain Deo Ei Shrine is dedicated to Deo Ei, a Shinto deity as...
View shrine →
Ishikawa
RyujinLocated in the heart of Kanazawa, Akibayashi Shrine is one of the oldest shrines in Ishikawa Prefect...
View shrine →
Ishikawa
HachimanLocated in the city of Kanazawa, the Eight Horses Temple Shrine (Hachimangu) is dedicated to the Shi...
View shrine →
Ishikawa
HachimanLocated in the city of Kanazawa, Eight-Horned Shrine is one of Japan's most famous Shinto shrines an...
View shrine →
Ishikawa
Susanoo-no-mikotoLocated in the city of Kanazawa, Eight Humps Shrine is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the god of the w...
View shrine →
Ishikawa
Matsubara no kamiFire Tree Spirit Shrine is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the spirit of fire trees, which are said to...
View shrine →
Ishikawa
HachimanLocated in the city of Kanazawa, Higashi-Hakusachi Shrine is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the god Ha...
View shrine →
Ishikawa
HachimanSawara Valley Shrine is a Shinto shrine located in the town of Sawara, Ishikawa Prefecture, and serv...
View shrine →
Ishikawa
Yamawaga-hikoLocated in the mountains of Ishikawa, Yamawagahara Shrine is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the mounta...
View shrine →
Ishikawa
AmaterasuLocated in the heart of Kanazawa, Dayo-jinja Shrine is one of Japan's oldest and most respected Shin...
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.