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
Katayama Hachiman Shrine
Gifu
Emperor Ojin (Hachiman)Katayama Hachiman Shrine is a Hachiman shrine located in Gifu Prefecture dedicated to Emperor Ojin,...
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Katte Shrine
Gifu
A Shinto shrine in Gifu Prefecture that serves the local community with traditional worship practice...
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Katte Shrine
Gifu
Local protective deityA local Shinto shrine in Gifu Prefecture dedicated to protective deities of the community. The name...
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Kawashima Shrine
Gifu
A Shinto shrine located in Gifu Prefecture, serving the local community with traditional religious c...
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Kibune Shrine
Gifu
Takaokami-no-kamiA local Shinto shrine in Gifu Prefecture dedicated to water deities, sharing its name and spiritual...
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Kifune Shrine
Gifu
Takaokami-no-kamiKifune Shrine is dedicated to water deities and is particularly revered for prayers related to water...
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Kinpu Shrine
Gifu
Zaō GongenKinpu Shrine is a mountain shrine in Gifu Prefecture dedicated to Zaō Gongen, the syncretic deity of...
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Kitagawa Tenmangu Shrine
Gifu
Sugawara no MichizaneKitagawa Tenmangu is a Shinto shrine in Gifu Prefecture dedicated to Sugawara no Michizane, the deif...
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Kiyoshima Shrine
Gifu
A Shinto shrine located in Gifu Prefecture, dedicated to local kami and serving the spiritual needs...
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Kodama Hakusan Shrine
Gifu
Shirayama-hime no MikotoKodama Hakusan Shrine is a local Shinto shrine in Gifu Prefecture dedicated to the mountain deity Sh...
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Kome Shrine
Gifu
Deity of rice and agricultureA local shrine dedicated to rice and agricultural prosperity, reflecting the deep connection between...
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Kotohira Shrine
Gifu
Ōmono-nushi-no-mikotoA local Kotohira shrine in Gifu Prefecture dedicated to maritime safety and prosperity. Like other K...
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Kotohira Shrine
Gifu
Ōmononushi-no-kamiA local shrine dedicated to Kotohira-san, the deity associated with maritime safety, prosperity, and...
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Kotohira Shrine
Gifu
Ōmononushi-no-mikotoA Kotohira shrine in Gifu Prefecture dedicated to Ōmononushi-no-mikoto, the deity of prosperity, goo...
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Kotohira Shrine
Gifu
Ōmononushi-no-kamiA Kotohira shrine dedicated to Ōmononushi-no-kami, following the tradition of the famous Kotohiragu...
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Kotohira Shrine
Gifu
Ōmononushi-no-kamiA Kotohira shrine in Gifu Prefecture dedicated to Ōmononushi-no-kami, the primary deity of the Kotoh...
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Koyasu Shrine
Gifu
Deity of safe childbirth and child protectionKoyasu Shrine is dedicated to ensuring safe childbirth and protecting children. Like other Koyasu sh...
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Koyasu Shrine
Gifu
Deity of safe childbirth and child protectionA Koyasu shrine dedicated to the protection of children and safe childbirth. Koyasu shrines are foun...
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Kumano Shrine
Gifu
Kumano Gongen deitiesA Kumano shrine in Gifu Prefecture dedicated to the Kumano Gongen deities, part of the broader Kuman...
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Kumano Shrine
Gifu
Kumano Sanzan deitiesA Kumano shrine in Gifu Prefecture dedicated to the powerful deities of the Kumano Sanzan, the three...
View shrine →Jump to Shinto shrines across Japan — 108 prefectures in our directory.
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