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
Niigata
Inari Okami諏訪神社 is a Shinto shrine located in the town of Nagaoka, Niigata Prefecture. Dedicated to the kam...
View shrine →
Niigata
Mt. Iwanuma, River Kami諏訪神社 is a Shinto shrine located in Niigata Prefecture, dedicated to the kami of Mt. Iwanuma and...
View shrine →
Niigata
BishamonLocated in the city of Joetsu, Niigata Prefecture, Eight Horses Temple is a Shinto shrine dedicated...
View shrine →
Niigata
HachimanLocated in Niigata Prefecture, Eighteen Hands Shrine is a Shinto temple dedicated to the deity Susan...
View shrine →
Niigata
nullShirohige Shrine, located in Niigata Prefecture, is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the kami of good fo...
View shrine →
Niigata
Tamamushi-no-kamiClear Water Shrine, located in the picturesque town of Shinjo, Niigata Prefecture, is a serene Shint...
View shrine →
Niigata
nullLocated in the city of Agematsu, in the Japanese prefecture of Niigata, the Jūni-sha-jinsha (Twelve...
View shrine →
Niigata
nullLocated in the historic city of Echigo, Shitennō-ji Temple was originally a Buddhist temple but conv...
View shrine →
Niigata
Inari OkamiKoya-san Shinshu, also known as Yakushi-ji, is a Shinto shrine located in Niigata Prefecture, Japan....
View shrine →
Niigata
Amaterasu ŌmikamiGoshitei Ōdō is a Shinto shrine located in the town of Yuzawa, Niigata Prefecture, and serves as the...
View shrine →
Niigata
HachimanThe Tenfu-san Jusho Temple in Niigata Prefecture is a serene Shinto shrine dedicated to the kami of...
View shrine →
Niigata
Susano-oSuwanoyashiro Shrine, located in Niigata Prefecture, is dedicated to the god of rice and fertility,...
View shrine →
Niigata
HachimanNyuzen Shrine is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the kami of fishermen and sailors in the port town of...
View shrine →
Niigata
RyūgakuLocated in the city of Hakusan, Niigata Prefecture, Ryūgaku-jinsha Shrine is dedicated to Ryūgaku, a...
View shrine →
Niigata
nullRyuzuizaki Shrine, located in the beautiful coastal town of Yubari in Hokkaido, is dedicated to Ryuj...
View shrine →
Niigata
InariAkiba no Kane Shrine, located in the Niigata Prefecture, is dedicated to the Shinto deity Inari Okam...
View shrine →
Niigata
VisnuLocated in the city of Agematsu, Niigata Prefecture,諏訪神社 (Visnu Shrine) is one of Japan's oldest...
View shrine →
Niigata
Agemori平潟神社 is a Shinto shrine located in the town of Minamiuonuma, Niigata Prefecture, dedicated to th...
View shrine →
Niigata
Inari OkamiTonosawa Inari Shrine, dedicated to Inari Okami, is a Shinto shrine located in the hills of Nagaoka...
View shrine →
Niigata
RyūjinLocated in the heart of Niigata Prefecture,山崎神社 is a revered Shinto shrine dedicated to the kami...
View shrine →
Niigata
諏訪神社 is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the kami Enma, also known as the Judge of the Underworld. L...
View shrine →
Niigata
HachimanLocated in the city of Joetsu, Niigata Prefecture, Eight Horses Temple is a Shinto shrine dedicated...
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.