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
Saitama
Located in the scenic town of Katsuta, Saitama Prefecture, Izumo no Okami Shrine is a Shinto shrine...
View shrine →
Saitama
Inari OkamiRowhouse Inari Shrine, located in the heart of Rowhouse Town in Saitama Prefecture, is a Shinto shri...
View shrine →
Saitama
SusanooThe Eight-Horned Shrine, located in Saitama Prefecture, is dedicated to the Shinto god Susanoo-no-Mi...
View shrine →
Saitama
Benzaiten見沼弁財天 Shrine, located in Saitama Prefecture, is a historic Shinto shrine dedicated to Benzaiten...
View shrine →
Saitama
HachimanLocated in the heart of Ibaraki, Saitama Prefecture, Maeda-hōjin-ten (Hachiman Shrine) is a Shinto t...
View shrine →
Saitama
Tendo DaikokutenLocated in the scenic town of Yabitsu, Saitama Prefecture, the sixth Tendai Shinto Shrine is a seren...
View shrine →
Saitama
Located in the heart of Saitama Prefecture, Tenman Shrine is a serene Shinto oasis that honors the k...
View shrine →
Saitama
藤倉天神社, located in the heart of Saitama Prefecture, is a serene Shinto shrine dedicated to the w...
View shrine →
Saitama
RaijinThe Dainichi-ji Temple, dedicated to the sixth heaven god Raijin, is a Shinto shrine located in Oizu...
View shrine →
Saitama
Hikokurō氷川神社 is a Shinto shrine located in Oizumi, Saitama Prefecture, dedicated to the kami of the same...
View shrine →
Saitama
Hara KamiLocated in the town of Tokorozawa, Saitama Prefecture, Sugamata Hara Shrine is a Shinto shrine dedic...
View shrine →
Saitama
Inari OkamiLocated in Saitama Prefecture, Ando Inari Shrine is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the god of rice and...
View shrine →
飯能市, 埼玉県
Enmei小岩井神社 is a Shinto shrine located in飯能市,埼玉県, dedicated to the kami Enmei, the Buddhist god...
View shrine →
Saitama
ŌkuninushiLocated in the historic city of Kawagoe, Shimo-lishimae Shrine is a significant Shinto site dedicate...
View shrine →
Saitama
Susanoo-no-mikotoMustang God Shrine, located in the heart of Hitachi Seacoast, is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the go...
View shrine →
Saitama
Susano-oLocated in the scenic town of Miyagikava, Saitama Prefecture, this Shinto shrine is dedicated to the...
View shrine →
Saitama
InariThe Shitennō-ji稲荷神社, located in Saitama Prefecture, is one of Japan's oldest and most revered sh...
View shrine →
Saitama
HachimanLocated in the heart of Tokyo's western suburbs, Eight Horses Temple Shrine (Hachimangū) is a promin...
View shrine →
Saitama
Tsukiyomi-no-kami日月社 Shrine, located in the heart of Saitama Prefecture, is a serene Shinto oasis that embodies th...
View shrine →
Saitama
Takehira no KamiTemple of the Village Head, the shrine is dedicated to Takehira no Kami, a Shinto deity believed to...
View shrine →
Saitama
Amaterasu OkamiLocated in the heart of Saitama,天満宮 is a significant Shinto shrine dedicated to the kami of good...
View shrine →
Tokyo
Inu no OkamiIzu Okura Shrine, dedicated to the kami Inu-no-Okami, is located in Izu Peninsula, a sacred region s...
View shrine →
Tokyo
Inari OkamiLocated in the heart of Tokyo, Senso-ji's rival is the renowned Inari Shrine, dedicated to Inari Oka...
View shrine →
Tokyo
Hachiman OkamiLocated in the heart of Tokyo, Ten no Yama Iwasaki Hachiman-gū Shrine is a historic Shinto site that...
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.