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
nouhon jinja
Hokkaido
Kokuryu no Kami (Black Dragon God)Nouhon Jinja is a Shinto shrine located in the rural areas of Hokkaido, Japan. The shrine's name rou...
View shrine →
Obihiro Shrine
Hokkaido
Tamayusubi-no-kamiObihiro Shrine, located in the heart of Obihiro City in Hokkaido, is a Shinto shrine dedicated to th...
View shrine →
Onumakomagadake Shrine
Hokkaido
HachimanLocated on the slopes of Mount Onnumakyodake in Hokkaido, Onumakomagadake Shrine is dedicated to the...
View shrine →
Otayama Shrine
Hokkaido
OtayamaOtayama Shrine, located in Hokkaido, is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the worship of the kami of the...
View shrine →
Raiun Shrine
Hokkaido
Raiun Shrine, located in the midst of Hokkaido's serene landscape, is a revered Shinto site that hon...
View shrine →
Rishiriyama Shrine Okumiya
Hokkaido
Kameshimo no KamiRishiriyama Shrine Okumiya is a Shinto shrine located in the scenic Rishiri Island, Hokkaido. The sh...
View shrine →
Sapporo Fushimi Inari shrine office
Hokkaido
The Sapporo Fushimi Inari shrine is a Shinto temple located in the heart of Sapporo, Hokkaido. Dedic...
View shrine →
Sapporo Gokoku Shrine
札幌市, Hokkaido
OkuninushiLocated in the heart of Sapporo, Hokkaido's largest city, Sapporo Gokoku Shrine is a revered Shinto...
View shrine →
Sarabetsu Shrine
Hokkaido
Located in the heart of Sarabetsu Village, Hokkaido, Morebetsu Shrine is a Shinto shrine dedicated t...
View shrine →
Saroma Shrine
Hokkaido
Sugisaki no KamiLocated in the picturesque town of Akan, Hokkaido, Saroma Shrine is a sacred site dedicated to the w...
View shrine →
Shari Shrine
Hokkaido
Located on the southern coast of Hokkaido, Shari Shrine is a sacred site revered by the Ainu people...
View shrine →
Shibetsu shrine
Hokkaido
Located on the northernmost tip of Hokkaido, Shibetsu Shrine is a Shinto shrine that offers breathta...
View shrine →
Shiogama shrine
Hokkaido
Located in Shiogama, Aomori City, Hokkaido, Shiogama Shrine is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the sea...
View shrine →
Soma shrine
札幌市, Hokkaido
Nakatomi no OkamiLocated in the heart of Sapporo, Soma Shrine is a sacred Shinto site that honors the god of agricult...
View shrine →
Tanaka Shrine
Hokkaido
nullTanaka Shrine, located in the town of Shiraoi in Hokkaido's Sapporo Plain, is a Shinto shrine dedica...
View shrine →
Taniyoshi inari shrine
Hokkaido
Located in the heart of Hokkaido, Taniyoshi Inari Shrine is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the god Ina...
View shrine →
Toasa Shrine
Toasa, Hokkaido
Toasa Shrine is a Shinto shrine located in the remote town of Toasa, Hokkaido, Japan. Dedicated to t...
View shrine →
Tofutsu Shrine
Hokkaido
Tofutsu-no-KamiTofutsu Shrine, located in the rural town of Akan, Hokkaido, is a Shinto temple dedicated to the sea...
View shrine →
Tokiwa jinja
Hokkaido
nullLocated in the scenic town of Abashiri, Tokiwa Jinja is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the kami Tokiwa...
View shrine →
Tokoro Shurine
Hokkaido
TokoroTokoro Shrine, located in the picturesque village of Nishibetsu, Hokkaido, is a tranquil oasis nestl...
View shrine →
Tomikawa hachiman shrine
Hokkaido
HachimanLocated in the heart of rural Hokkaido, Tomikawa Hachiman Shrine is a historic Shinto temple dedicat...
View shrine →
Toyohira-jinja Shrine
札幌市, Hokkaido
OkuninushiToyohira-jinja Shrine is a Shinto shrine located in the heart of Sapporo, the capital city of Hokkai...
View shrine →
TSURUWAKA INARI Jinja
Hokkaido
Inari OkamiTsuruwaka Inari Shrine, located in Hokkaido, is one of the most important Shinto shrines dedicated t...
View shrine →
Wakasa shrine
Hokkaido
Wakasa Shrine is a Shinto shrine located in Wakasa, Hokkaido. The shrine was originally built in the...
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.