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
Saitama
Nakayama HachimanLocated in the city of Kawagoe, Saitama Prefecture, 39 Shishigahara Road is a historic shrine dedica...
View shrine →
Saitama
KiyohimeKatsuragi Shrine, located in the city of Tokorozawa in Saitama Prefecture, is dedicated to the Shint...
View shrine →
Saitama
HachimanLocated in the heart of Saitama, Eighteen Hands Shrine is one of Japan's oldest and most prominent S...
View shrine →
Saitama
InariMatsuyama Shrine, dedicated to Inari Okami, is a revered Shinto site located in the heart of Saitama...
View shrine →
Saitama
Inari OkamiLocated in the heart of Saitama Prefecture, 柊稲荷神社 is a Shinto shrine dedicated to Inari Okami,...
View shrine →
Saitama
Ryūjin, FujinDay枝 Shrine, located in the town of Tokorozawa in Saitama Prefecture, is a Shinto shrine dedicated...
View shrine →
Saitama
Nagasewa Shrine, located in the town of Wakō in Saitama Prefecture, is a Shinto shrine dedicated to...
View shrine →
Saitama
Yamatsumi no OkamiNinō-ji Shrine, located in Higashiyamato, Saitama Prefecture, is a unique Shinto shrine that combine...
View shrine →
Saitama
BenzaitenLocated in the prefecture of Saitama, the Maratsume Jikozen Temple is a Shinto shrine dedicated to B...
View shrine →
Saitama
ToshizōTadashiro Shrine in Saitama is a Shinto shrine dedicated to Toshizō, the guardian deity of farmers a...
View shrine →
Saitama
Tamayama no OkamiThe Koshinsha, a Shinto shrine dedicated to the kami of weather and storms, is located in the heart...
View shrine →
Saitama
OtsunemichiLocated in the scenic town of Sasaka, Saitama Prefecture, Middle Hot Spring Shrine is a serene Shint...
View shrine →
Saitama
InariKobutshida Ichi no Kami Hiyokawa Shrine, a Shinto shrine located in the town of Chichiba, Saitama Pr...
View shrine →
Saitama
Tsuchi-kamiTsuchi-kami Bear Shrine is a Shinto shrine located in the Sagamigahara region of Japan, in the prefe...
View shrine →
Saitama
Located in the town of Sakado, Saitama Prefecture, Datsunotsuru Iwakura Jinja Shrine is a Shinto shr...
View shrine →
Saitama
OtohimeThe Textile Shrine in Saitama is dedicated to the kami of weaving, embroidery, and other textile art...
View shrine →
Saitama
AmaterasuLocated in the prefecture of Saitama,厳島神社 is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the sun goddess Amater...
View shrine →
Saitama
Dayo no KamiDayo Shrine, located in the town of Miyoshi in Saitama Prefecture, is a small Shinto shrine dedicate...
View shrine →
Saitama
FutsunamiThe Shrine of Futsunami is a Shinto shrine located in the town of Tokorozawa, Saitama Prefecture. De...
View shrine →
Saitama
HachimanDayo Shrine, located in Saitama Prefecture, is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the kami of lightning an...
View shrine →
Saitama
Susanoo-no-MikotoLocated in the heart of Sakado, Saitama, Eight Horseshoe Shrine is a revered Shinto temple dedicated...
View shrine →
Saitama
ŌkuninushiKami Hongan-ji Shūrai-jinja, a Shinto shrine located in Saitama, is dedicated to the deity Ōkuninush...
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.