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
Akita
HachimanThis Shinto shrine in Akita Prefecture is dedicated to the kami of spring and fertility, associated...
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Akita
Ō-Okami-no-MikotoLocated in Akita Prefecture, 正一位稲荷大明神 Shrine is dedicated to the primary deity Ō-Okami-no-Mi...
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Akita
The Kinryuho Taishanbutsuden Shrine in Akita Prefecture is a Shinto temple dedicated to the worship...
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Akita
The Sanuki Matsuri Ta no Irie Shrine, located in Akita Prefecture, is a Shinto shrine dedicated to t...
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Akita
Located in the heart of Akita, the Sangetsu Daikannon Shrine is a serene oasis dedicated to the wors...
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Akita
ShinmeiThe Shinmei-ji Shrine, dedicated to Shinmei, the Shinto kami of prosperity and longevity, is located...
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Akita
AmaterasuThe Tsukisato Shrine, located in Akita Prefecture, is dedicated to the Shinto deity of rice and pros...
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Akita
SeigetsuSeven-Heavenly Shrine of Seven Gods is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the seven gods of heaven in Japa...
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Akita
Aoi-no-KamiAiya Oiwa Shrine, located in Akita Prefecture, is dedicated to the Shinto deity Aoi-no-Kami, who is...
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Akita
HachimanHachiroji Ta, a Shinto shrine located in the city of Akita, is dedicated to Hachiman, the god of war...
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Akita
Raijin, Susa-no-oThis ancient Shinto shrine in Akita Prefecture is dedicated to the god of thunder, Raijin, and the g...
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Akita
DankoThe shrine of Danko Taishōgami, situated in the city of Ōdate, Akita Prefecture, is dedicated to the...
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Akita
RyujinTatsuhiyama Shrine, located in Akita Prefecture, is a Shinto temple dedicated to the god of the sea...
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Akita
Dewa Sanzan Honjin (Hachiman)Outa Sanzan is a renowned Shinto shrine in Akita Prefecture, located at the foot of Mt. Chokai, whic...
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Akita
RaijinThe Shinno-dera shrine in Akita Prefecture is a prominent Shinto site dedicated to the god of thunde...
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Akita
Located in the mountains of Akita Prefecture, 象頭山碑 Shrine is dedicated to the Shinto deity of ab...
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Akita
nullThis historic Shinto shrine in Akita Prefecture is known for its well-preserved stone lion dogs, whi...
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Akita
Fox (Kitsune)This stone fox statue, designated as an Important Cultural Property by Yuzurō City in Akita Prefectu...
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Akita
Gumoen-gamiLocated in the beautiful prefecture of Akita,古峰神社碑 is a historic Shinto shrine dedicated to the...
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Akita
HachimanThe Shingen-ta Shrine in Akita Prefecture is a revered Shinto site dedicated to the Shingen deity, a...
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Akita
RyūjinThe Ryūgisenbo shrine in Akita Prefecture is dedicated to the dragon god Ryūjin, an important kami r...
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Akita
nullLocated in the city of Yuzawa, Akita Prefecture, Shibushi Shrine is dedicated to Shinto Kami, and is...
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Akita
RaijinThe Shenchūzuka Shrine in Akita Prefecture is dedicated to the god of thunder, Raijin, and is famous...
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Akita
Ōnami no kamiLocated in the Akita Prefecture, ancient peak shrine (Kūnō Jinja) is a lesser-known Shinto site dedi...
View shrine →Jump to Shinto shrines across Japan — 108 prefectures in our directory.
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