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
Inaba no NakatamiThe Jubi Shrine in Osaka is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the kami Inaba no Nakatami and also enshrin...
View shrine →
Osaka
EbisuMarketplace Eel God Shrine, a Shinto shrine located in Osaka, is dedicated to the worship of Ebisu,...
View shrine →
Osaka
Located in the heart of Osaka, Eight Kings Shrine is a Shinto temple dedicated to the worship of eig...
View shrine →
Osaka
OnryōThe San no Aragami Shrine in Osaka is dedicated to the vengeful spirit of a woman who was wronged by...
View shrine →
Osaka
Inari OkamiLocated in the heart of Osaka, Tomiri-izumi-jinja Shrine is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the god of...
View shrine →
Osaka
Misogi-no-kamiThe Misugi-dragon Shrine, dedicated to the dragon deity Misogi-no-kami, is located in the heart of O...
View shrine →
Osaka
InariHighly revered as the largest Shinto shrine in Japan, High Priestess Shrine located on a hill overlo...
View shrine →
Osaka
InariLocated in the heart of Osaka, small but significant shrines like Minamiyashiro Shrine, which honors...
View shrine →
Osaka
Susanohime-no-kamiLocated in the heart of Osaka, the Izumi Taisha Shrine is one of Japan's oldest and most revered Shi...
View shrine →
Osaka
HachimanMikoshiba Shrine, dedicated to the Shinto kami of a rocky outcrop on Awaji Island, is one of Japan's...
View shrine →
Osaka
UnknownLocated in Osaka, Kanasugi-no-michi Shrine is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the kami of the village....
View shrine →
Osaka
AmaterasuResha-gi-jinsha is a Shinto shrine located in Osaka, dedicated to the sun goddess Amaterasu. The shr...
View shrine →
Osaka
TenjinLove and Fertility Shrine, located in the heart of Osaka, Enoshima love god Tenjin is believed to re...
View shrine →
Osaka
Yata no KagamiYobigase Shrine, located in the heart of Osaka, is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the god of longevity...
View shrine →
Osaka
Tsukuyomi-no-kamiLocated in the heart of Osaka, Nakatogawa Shrine is dedicated to Tsukuyomi-no-kami, the Shinto god o...
View shrine →
Osaka
InariLocated in the heart of Osaka, White Flying Inari Shrine is a lesser-known yet charming Shinto desti...
View shrine →
Osaka
Raijin永尾神社, located in the heart of Osaka, is a revered Shinto shrine dedicated to the kami of prosper...
View shrine →
Osaka
Ei DaikamiEi Daikami Shrine, located in Osaka Prefecture, is a Shinto shrine dedicated to Ei Daikami, the god...
View shrine →
Osaka
InazumanéAi-Ōdantō Dai-Hokūen, a Shinto shrine in Osaka Prefecture dedicated to the deity Inazumané, believed...
View shrine →
Osaka
Hennaka-kamiThe o Henazai Zusha shrine in Osaka is dedicated to the Shinto god of good luck, prosperity, and wea...
View shrine →
Osaka
DayutsugiDayutsugishimasa Shrine, located in Osaka, is a historic Shinto shrine dedicated to Dayutsugi-no-Mik...
View shrine →
Osaka
nullLocated in the heart of Osaka,延命地蔵尊 Shrine is a Shinto temple dedicated to the kami of longevit...
View shrine →
Osaka
Inari OkamiThe o-kusu稲荷 Shrine, located in Osaka Prefecture, is a sacred Inari shrine dedicated to the rice g...
View shrine →
Osaka
Tsukuyomi no OkamiLocated in the heart of Osaka, Iritsu-no-ma Shrine is a Shinto shrine dedicated to Tsukuyomi no Okam...
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.