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
Okatari Tarō沖太郎丸神社 is a Shinto shrine located in the city of Kanazawa, Ishikawa Prefecture. The shrine is...
View shrine →
Ishikawa
Inari OkamiLocated in the city of Kanazawa, in the prefecture of Ishikawa, Buzen-machi Shrine is one of Japan's...
View shrine →
小松市, 石川県
Hatsuyama Shrine, located in Matsusaka city, Mie prefecture, is dedicated to the deity of rice and f...
View shrine →
Ishikawa
Dei-no-kamiDei Bridge Shrine, located in Ishikawa Prefecture, is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the deity of brid...
View shrine →
Ishikawa
HachimanLocated in the city of Kanazawa, Ishikawa Prefecture, Eight Horses Shrine is a Shinto shrine dedicat...
View shrine →
Ishikawa
Hakusan OkamiMarasari Jinsha is a Shinto shrine located in the mountains of Ishikawa Prefecture, dedicated to the...
View shrine →
Ishikawa
HachimanLocated in the city of Kanazawa, Ishikawa Prefecture, Eight-Horned Shrine is a prominent Shinto shri...
View shrine →
Ishikawa
Located in the Japanese prefecture of Ishikawa, Shirojima Shrine is dedicated to the Shinto deities...
View shrine →
Ishikawa
EnmaPhilosopher's Shrine, dedicated to the deity of learning and knowledge, is located in Kanazawa, Ishi...
View shrine →
Ishikawa
Inari OkamiLocated in the city of Kanazawa, Ishikawa Prefecture, Shirotori Shrine is a Shinto shrine dedicated...
View shrine →
Ishikawa
nullLocated in the town of Katsua in Ishikawa Prefecture, Shinmeisha Shrine is a small but sacred Shinto...
View shrine →
Ishikawa
The Kanzaki Shrine is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the Kami of Spring, located in the heart of Ishik...
View shrine →
Ishikawa
Amaterasu OmikamiLocated in the city of Kanazawa, this Shinto shrine is dedicated to the god of heaven and the sun. T...
View shrine →
Ishikawa
Haku-san-gamiLocated in the town of Katsuyama, White Mountain Shrine is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the god of t...
View shrine →
Ishikawa
ŌkamiGodai no Shinmei-ji is a Shinto shrine located in the city of Kanazawa, Ishikawa Prefecture, Japan....
View shrine →
Ishikawa
Seven Gods of good fortune and prosperitySeven Gods Shrine, located in the town of Kanazawa in Ishikawa Prefecture, is a Shinto shrine dedica...
View shrine →
Ishikawa
Fukuda Shrine, located in Ishikawa Prefecture, is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the kami Enmei. The s...
View shrine →
Ishikawa
Inari Okami諏訪神社 is a Shinto shrine located in the town of Fukui, Ishikawa Prefecture. Dedicated to Inari Ok...
View shrine →
Ishikawa
Okita no KamiLocated in the town of Wakasagi in Ishikawa Prefecture, Okita-no-Miyabi-jinsha is a Shinto shrine th...
View shrine →
Ishikawa
Gan no KamiGan no Kami Shrine, located in Ishikawa Prefecture, is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the god of war a...
View shrine →
Ishikawa
TamatsukushiLocated in the city of Kanazawa, in the heart of Ishikawa Prefecture, the Ōtani Shrine is dedicated...
View shrine →
Ishikawa
HachimanLocated in the heart of Kanazawa, the former capital of Japan's Kaga region, is the Wo Gei Hachi Bat...
View shrine →
Ishikawa
DayyushinshaDayyushinsha Shinto Shrine is a revered site located in the city of Kanazawa, Ishikawa Prefecture, d...
View shrine →
Ishikawa
nullClearwater Shrine is a Shinto shrine located in Sakaihara, Ishikawa Prefecture. The shrine is dedica...
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.