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
Shiga
AmaterasuSpring Day Shrine, located in the scenic town of Hikone in Shiga Prefecture, is dedicated to the sun...
View shrine →
Shiga
Kamigakawa no KamiHigh Matsusaka Shrine is a Shinto shrine located in the city of Omi, Shiga Prefecture, dedicated to...
View shrine →
Shiga
KintarōKintaro-jinja, dedicated to the god of wealth and prosperity, is a Shinto shrine located in Hikone,...
View shrine →
Shiga
Mikoto no OkamiTsushima Island Shrine, located in the Shiga Prefecture, is a Shinto temple dedicated to the sea and...
View shrine →
Shiga
Located in the town of Echizen, Ando city, Shiga Prefecture, Ando Taishanshu is a historic Shinto sh...
View shrine →
Shiga
Located in the city of Hikone, Dayo-jinja Shrine is one of Japan's oldest shrines, with a history da...
View shrine →
Shiga
Taka no OkamiTakeda Shrine, located in the city of Koka, Shiga Prefecture, is dedicated to the enshrined deity Ta...
View shrine →
Shiga
MikasaLocated in the city of Hikone, Shiga Prefecture, Omotenashi no Mikasa Shrine is a small but historic...
View shrine →
Shiga
KunitsukamiLocated in the city of Omi, Shiga Prefecture,野々宮神社 is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the kami (sp...
View shrine →
Shiga
EnmeiLocated in the city of Omiya, Shiga Prefecture, Dayetsu-jinsha is a historic Shinto shrine dedicated...
View shrine →
Shiga
HachimanLocated in the heart of Shiga Prefecture, Eight Horses Temple Shrine (Hachimangū) is one of Japan's...
View shrine →
Shiga
nullClear Water Shrine, located in the city of Kusatsu in Shiga Prefecture, is a sacred Shinto site dedi...
View shrine →
Shiga
Builda no Hikoboshi建部日吉神社, located in Shiga Prefecture, is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the kami of the same name...
View shrine →
Shiga
AmaterasuTenshijinsha is a historic Shinto shrine located in the city of Echizen, Shiga Prefecture. Dedicated...
View shrine →
Shiga
Amaterasu Omikami天神社 is a historic Shinto shrine located in the city of Nagahama, Shiga Prefecture. Dedicated to t...
View shrine →
Shiga
TenjinLocated in the city of Katsuyama, Shiga Prefecture, Myōon Datsu Kaiten is a Shinto shrine dedicated...
View shrine →
Shiga
OinaginoomichiThis Shinto shrine, located in the picturesque town of Katsuyama, Shiga Prefecture, is dedicated to...
View shrine →
Shiga
Amaterasu/Omoriyamato no kamiKanazawa's Tsuruga Water Temple Shrine, dedicated to the Amaterasu and Susanoo kami, is a sacred sit...
View shrine →
Shiga
InariSmall but historic shrine dedicated to Inari Okami, the god of rice and fertility. Located in the he...
View shrine →
Shiga
Moriotsuka森光稲荷神社, located in Shiga Prefecture, is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the kami of prosperity an...
View shrine →
Shiga
Narigama-no-KamiLocated in the town of Minakuchi, Shiga Prefecture, 小俣神社御旅所 is a historic Shinto shrine dedic...
View shrine →
Shiga
nullLongkou Shrine, located in the town of Hikone, Shiga Prefecture, is a tranquil Shinto site dedicated...
View shrine →
Shiga
FukuradokoroFukuradokoro Jinsha is a Shinto shrine located in Shiga Prefecture, dedicated to the deity Fukuradok...
View shrine →
Shiga
Located in the city of Katsuyama, Shiga Prefecture, in the heart of Japan's 'Land of the Sun God,' H...
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.