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
Ishikawa
UnknownLocated in the town of Sanyo, Ishikawa Prefecture, Toso-bashi-yama-jinja is a Shinto shrine dedicate...
View shrine →
Ishikawa
Hakusan HimeLocated in the Japanese prefecture of Ishikawa, White Mountain Princess Shrine (Hakusan Hime Jinja)...
View shrine →
Ishikawa
nullTsumano Shrine, located in the picturesque town of Katsuyama in Ishikawa Prefecture, is a revered Sh...
View shrine →
池田町, 岐阜県
Hikoboshi no OkamiGodaijin Shrine is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the god of the forest, located in the mountains of G...
View shrine →
Ishikawa
HachimanLocated in the city of Kanazawa, Ishikawa Prefecture, Hachiman Shrine is one of Japan's oldest and m...
View shrine →
Ishikawa
Ōgami HachimanThe Ōgami Shrine, located in Ishikawa Prefecture, is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the kami Ōgami Hac...
View shrine →
Ishikawa
Located in the Ishikawa prefecture, Tsunetsu-jinsha is a small Shinto shrine dedicated to the deity...
View shrine →
Ishikawa
Hakusan-yama no kamiThe White Mountain Shrine, located in Ishikawa Prefecture, is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the kami...
View shrine →
Ishikawa
Amaterasu, SusanooWest Japan's most famous Shinto shrine, dedicated to the sun goddess Amaterasu and the god Susanoo,...
View shrine →
Ishikawa
AmaterasuLocated in the city of Kanazawa, Ishikawa Prefecture's Tenman Shrine is a revered Shinto site that h...
View shrine →
Ishikawa
KaitoTonbo-ji Temple, located in the heart of Kanazawa City's Higashi Chaya District, is a Shinto shrine...
View shrine →
Ishikawa
Located in the city of Kanazawa, Ishikawa Prefecture, Eight Horseshoe Shrine is a revered Shinto sit...
View shrine →
Ishikawa
Inari OkamiMakunoji Shrine is located in the town of Makubecchi, Ishikawa Prefecture, and is dedicated to the S...
View shrine →
Ishikawa
AmaterasuThe Daytsu Shrine is a Shinto shrine located in the city of Kanazawa, Ishikawa Prefecture, dedicated...
View shrine →
Ishikawa
Ohinamiki-no-kamiLocated in the town of Wakasa, Ishikawa Prefecture, Goda Shrine is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the...
View shrine →
Ishikawa
ToraLocated in the Japanese prefecture of Ishikawa, Eight Horseshoe Shrine is a Shinto shrine dedicated...
View shrine →
Ishikawa
HachimanThe Okuma Shrine, located in the city of Kanazawa, Ishikawa Prefecture, is a Shinto shrine dedicated...
View shrine →
Ishikawa
示野神社 is a Shinto shrine located in the town of Agi, Ishikawa Prefecture. The shrine is dedicated...
View shrine →
Ishikawa
AmaterasuDayaji Insa, also known as Daya or Hi no Ori, is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the sun goddess Amater...
View shrine →
Ishikawa
InariHigh Futaba Shrine, located in the mountains of Ishikawa Prefecture, is a sacred site dedicated to t...
View shrine →
Ishikawa
HachimanThe Eight-Horsemeshi Shrine, located in Ishikawa Prefecture, is dedicated to the Shinto kami of the...
View shrine →
Ishikawa
Kumano Okami, Inari OkappiLocated in the charming town of Komatsu, Shotenji Temple, also known as Hitotogami Shrine or Tobi-hi...
View shrine →
Ishikawa
Inari OkamiTakaoka Inari Shrine is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the worship of Inari Okami, the kami of rice, f...
View shrine →
Ishikawa
AmaterasuLocated in the city of Kanazawa, the Higashi-ji Shrine is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the sun godde...
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.