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
Shimane
AmaterasuInagoe Shrine, located in Matsue City, Shimane Prefecture, is one of Japan's oldest and most revered...
View shrine →
Shimane
Inari OkuninushiInari Okuninushi Shrine, dedicated to the Shinto god Inari Okuninushi, is a prominent Shinto shrine...
View shrine →
Shimane
Susanoo-no-mikotoLocated in the scenic Seto Inland Sea region of Shimane Prefecture, the Gion Taisai Shrine is a Shin...
View shrine →
Shimane
Myo-sen-kaMyo-sen-ja Shrine in Shimane Prefecture is dedicated to the Shinto kami of good luck, prosperity, an...
View shrine →
Shimane
Daito-no-OkamiDaito-sha is a Shinto shrine located in the town of Yasu, Shimane Prefecture. The shrine is dedicate...
View shrine →
Shimane
Hachiman厄災落とし斎場 is a Shinto shrine located in the city of Matsue, Shimane Prefecture, dedicated to Ha...
View shrine →
Shimane
TsunyomiŌkamiLocated in the city of Matsue, Shimane Prefecture, Gyōbe TsunyomiŌkami Shrine is a historic Shinto s...
View shrine →
Shimane
Tsukiyomi-no-kamiToshida Shrine, located in the city of Matsue in Shimane Prefecture, is a Shinto shrine dedicated to...
View shrine →
Shimane
EboshiLocated in the heart of Shimane Prefecture,佐中恵比須社 (Sazawa Eboshi Shrine) is a Shinto shrine de...
View shrine →
Shimane
SusanooLocated in the scenic town of Matsue, Riverine Shrine (Kawachi-jinja) is one of Japan's most impress...
View shrine →
Shimane
HachimanMiyaji Tenno Shrine is a Shinto shrine located in the city of Karatsu, Saga Prefecture, but was orig...
View shrine →
Shimane
TsukuyomiIndustrious Rice God Shrine, dedicated to the kami of agriculture and fertility, is located in the h...
View shrine →
Shimane
RyujinLocated in the city of Matsue, Shimane Prefecture, 饒津神社 is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the god...
View shrine →
Shimane
Tamashizuka no OkamiLocated in the city of Matsue, Shimane Prefecture, Azagaharashinsha is a Shinto shrine dedicated to...
View shrine →
Shimane
Amaterasu Ōmikami and Susanoo no KamiSpring Day Shrine, located in Shimane Prefecture, is a revered Shinto shrine dedicated to the Sun Go...
View shrine →
Shimane
Sugawara no MichizaneLocated in the city of Matsue, Shimane Prefecture, Tenmangu Shrine is a Shinto shrine dedicated to S...
View shrine →
Shimane
InariLocated in the city of Matsue, Shimane Prefecture, Sanbon-gu Shrine is dedicated to the Shinto god I...
View shrine →
Shimane
SusanooLocated in the city of Matsue, Shimane Prefecture, 光廣神社 is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the sun...
View shrine →
Shimane
HachimanLocated in the city of Matsue, Shimane Prefecture, Seida Hachiman-gū is a renowned Shinto shrine ded...
View shrine →
Shimane
Susanoo no MikotoNagato Shrine, located in the Seto Inland Sea region of Japan's Honshu island, is an important Shint...
View shrine →
Shimane
Located in the city of Masuda, Shimane Prefecture, Totomon Wingsha Shrine is a lesser-known Shinto s...
View shrine →
Shimane
InariEhime-no-Mori Shrine, located in the picturesque town of Matsue in Shimane Prefecture, is dedicated...
View shrine →
Shimane
RyujinDragon Palace Shrine, located in the Seto Inland Sea region of Shimane Prefecture, is a Shinto templ...
View shrine →
Shimane
MikotoNikko no Mikoto, the Shining Deity, is enshrined at Izumo Takamatsu Shrine in Shimane Prefecture. As...
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.