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
Osaka
HachimanKinku-miya Shrine is a Shinto shrine located in the Tsurugaoka district of Yokohama, Kanagawa Prefec...
View shrine →
Osaka
nullLocated in the heart of Osaka, Eight Hills Shrine is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the worship of the...
View shrine →
Osaka
式部御野縣主神社 is a Shinto shrine located in Osaka Prefecture, Japan. The shrine is dedicated to t...
View shrine →
Osaka
Musubi no kamiLocated in the heart of Osaka, the Eightfold Shrine is a prominent Shinto temple dedicated to the en...
View shrine →
Osaka
Fusai-jinja Shrine is a Shinto shrine located in the Umeda neighborhood of Osaka, Japan. The shrine'...
View shrine →
堺市, 大阪府
Okami開口神社 is a Shinto shrine located in 堺市, Osaka Prefecture. The name '開口' refers to the shrine'...
View shrine →
Osaka
Located in Osaka's Kita-ku, Fish Market Shrine (Kanmon-jinja) is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the go...
View shrine →
Osaka
Fujishiro-kamiThe Shitennō-ji Temple, located in Osaka's Chuo ward, is one of Japan's oldest and most revered Budd...
View shrine →
Osaka
The Itoshi no Ie Shrine, located in Osaka, is a sacred Shinto site dedicated to the kami of the Ichi...
View shrine →
Osaka
YatagarasuCats have been a revered presence at Catzusujigahara Shrine in Osaka for centuries. According to loc...
View shrine →
Osaka
Yatagarasu (Three Legged God) and Okami (Great God)Godsford Shrine, located in Osaka's Kita-ku ward, is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the protection of...
View shrine →
Osaka
長柄八幡宮, located in Osaka Prefecture, is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the deity of the same name,...
View shrine →
Osaka
Inari OkamiLocated in the heart of Osaka, Shinto shrine mountain (山田) is one of Japan's oldest shrines, datin...
View shrine →
Osaka
Inazuma no OkamiLocated in Osaka Prefecture, Godai-jinja Shrine is a historic Shinto temple dedicated to the god of...
View shrine →
Osaka
IezenataIezenatagishisa Shrine in Osaka is dedicated to the Shinto god of the plague, Iezenata, and is also...
View shrine →
Osaka
SenninLocated in Osaka, 御幸森天神宮 is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the god of longevity and prosperity,...
View shrine →
Osaka
Sakahime MusashiLocated in the heart of Osaka, Takatsukasa Shrine is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the god of war and...
View shrine →
Osaka
Inari ŌsaeLocated in Osaka, the Ōsae Shrine honors the kami of longevity and good health. Dating back to the E...
View shrine →
Osaka
AmaterasuThe Izumi Taisha is a Shinto shrine located in Osaka, dedicated to the sun goddess Amaterasu and her...
View shrine →
大阪府豊中市, Osaka
Amaterasu ŌmikamiResha no Kami Shrine is a Shinto shrine located in Toyonaka, Osaka Prefecture, dedicated to the deit...
View shrine →
Osaka
Toyosakimaru no KamiLocated in the Namba Ward of Osaka, Toyosaki Shrine is dedicated to the god of prosperity and abunda...
View shrine →
豊中市, 大阪府
KunitokamiOriginally founded during the Heian period, the original torii gate at this shrine was moved to its...
View shrine →
Osaka
SeikokatsutamaThis Ikushima Shinto shrine is located in the heart of Osaka, and its name,生国魂神社 (Seikokatsu-ta...
View shrine →
Osaka
Susanoo no OkamiLocated in the heart of Osaka, High Shrine of Kōrakura is a historic Shinto shrine dedicated to the...
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.