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
Ibaraki
NoborikagamiLocated in the picturesque prefecture of Ibaraki, the Nōbori Kagami Shrine is a serene Shinto temple...
View shrine →
Ibaraki
Sogunjin, RaijinLocated in the city of Sakura, Ibaraki Prefecture, Sōgū-jinsha Tenman-kyō is a Shinto shrine dedicat...
View shrine →
Ibaraki
RyujinDayotsu Shrine, located in the city of Mito, Ibaraki Prefecture, is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the...
View shrine →
Ibaraki
Inari OkamiLocated in the prefecture of Ibaraki, 舶付稲荷神社 is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the god Inari Oka...
View shrine →
Ibaraki
Tategoshi-kamiTategoshi-no-Ma Shrine, also known as Tategoshi-san, is a Shinto shrine located in the town of Katsu...
View shrine →
Ibaraki
Ōkame no Okamilocated in the city of Hitachi, Ibaraki Prefecture, Spring Day Shrine is a Shinto shrine dedicated t...
View shrine →
Ibaraki
RyujinWater god Shinto shrine located on the coast of Ibaraki Prefecture, dedicated to the reverence and p...
View shrine →
Ibaraki
InariNakase Ingoshinsha is a Shinto shrine located in the heart of Nikko, Ibaraki Prefecture, and is one...
View shrine →
Ibaraki
Sasayama-no-kamiLocated in the Ibaraki Prefecture, 鹿島神社 is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the kami of the same nam...
View shrine →
Ibaraki
RyujinLocated in the picturesque town of Hitachi, Ibaraki Prefecture, 熊野神社 is a historic Shinto shrine...
View shrine →
Ibaraki
Hyori TaishōgūLocated in the town of Hitachi, Ibaraki Prefecture, Shin-Itto Hiyori Taishōgū is a Shinto shrine ded...
View shrine →
Ibaraki
HaidenLocated in the city of Hitachi, Ibaraki Prefecture, Fuisu Shrine is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the...
View shrine →
Ibaraki
HachimanLocated in the picturesque town of Nihonmatsu, Shiroishi Hachiman Shrine is one of Japan's oldest an...
View shrine →
Ibaraki
Pulihara Shrine, located in the town of Tsukudani in Ibaraki Prefecture, is a Shinto shrine dedicate...
View shrine →
Ibaraki
Katsu-OkamiKatsurao Shrine, located in Ibaraki Prefecture, is dedicated to the Shinto god of fire and iron, Kat...
View shrine →
Ibaraki
InariIzuhara Shrine, located in Ibaraki Prefecture, is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the sun goddess Amate...
View shrine →
Ibaraki
Teno, god of thunder and lightning建御雷神社 is a Shinto shrine located in Ibaraki Prefecture, dedicated to the kami of lightning, pro...
View shrine →
Ibaraki
Susanoo愛宕神社 is a Shinto shrine located in Ibaraki Prefecture, dedicated to the storm god Susanoo and hi...
View shrine →
Ibaraki
EnmaLocated in the town of Kamakura, Eighteen Steps Shrine is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the god Enma,...
View shrine →
Ibaraki
Located in the town of Chichibunagano in Ibaraki Prefecture, the Dezaru Shrine is a small Shinto shr...
View shrine →
Ibaraki
Located in the town of Chikusa, Ibaraki Prefecture, the Shrine of Kobo Daishi, is dedicated to the C...
View shrine →
Ibaraki
Jongawa Tenman-miya is a Shinto shrine located in the scenic town of Daigo, Ibaraki Prefecture. Dedi...
View shrine →
Ibaraki
Inari Okami, KanegiKatsuta Shrine, located in the scenic prefecture of Ibaraki, is a revered Shinto site dedicated to t...
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.