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
Shizuoka
InariLocated in the heart of Japan's historic city, Atsuta Shrine is a revered Shinto site nestled betwee...
View shrine →
Shizuoka
HachimanLocated in the picturesque town of Iwata, Shizuoka Prefecture, Tenhyu Shrine is a serene and histori...
View shrine →
Shizuoka
白山神社 is a Shinto shrine located in the city of Katsuyama, Shizuoka Prefecture, dedicated to the...
View shrine →
Shizuoka
OtohimeTemple of the young rice goddess, Otohime, is located in Shizuoka Prefecture. The shrine complex has...
View shrine →
Shizuoka
GodaLocated in the heart of Japan's scenic Hakone region, Goda Jinsha is a Shinto shrine dedicated to th...
View shrine →
Shizuoka
TenjinLocated in the heart of Shizuoka Prefecture, Tenjin Shrine is a historic Shinto site dedicated to th...
View shrine →
Shizuoka
KinryuKintsugi-ji, the Kinpu Shrine in Shizuoka Prefecture, is dedicated to Kinryu, a legendary deity asso...
View shrine →
Shizuoka
TenjinLocated in Shizuoka Prefecture, 若宮正八幡宮 is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the god of prosperity a...
View shrine →
Shizuoka
RyūjinGold Mountain Shrine, located in the Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park, is a sacred site dedicated to th...
View shrine →
Shizuoka
SusanooThe Hie Shrine, located in Shizuoka Prefecture, is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the sun goddess Amat...
View shrine →
Shizuoka
KinryuKinryu-ji Shrine is a renowned Shinto temple in the city of Fujieda, Shizuoka Prefecture, dedicated...
View shrine →
Shizuoka
Benzaiten, FujinLocated in the town of Iwata, Shizuoka Prefecture, Hatsubaru Shrine is a Shinto shrine dedicated to...
View shrine →
Shizuoka
TamagushiUpperwater Shrine is a Shinto shrine located in the city of Hamamatsu, Shizuoka Prefecture, dedicate...
View shrine →
Shizuoka
HachimanLocated in the city of Nissoda, Shizuoka Prefecture, the Jingei Shrine is a lesser-known Shinto shri...
View shrine →
Shizuoka
Tsushima Island Shrine, located on the scenic Tsushima Island in Shizuoka Prefecture, is a revered S...
View shrine →
Shizuoka
Inari OkamiLocated in the city of Kakegawa, Shizuoka Prefecture, Oku-Plain Shrine is a Shinto shrine dedicated...
View shrine →
Shizuoka
Located in the heart of Japan, Shinshu Myojin Shrine is a sacred site dedicated to the worship of va...
View shrine →
Shizuoka
Fukuyama no KamiIfukuyamagashina is a Shinto shrine located in Shimoda, Shizuoka Prefecture, dedicated to the god of...
View shrine →
Shizuoka
FujinThe Ōgama Shrine in Shizuoka Prefecture is dedicated to the deity of the city's founder, Fujinbo-no-...
View shrine →
Shizuoka
PatugumoriPatungumori Shrine, located in the town of Kanzawa in Shizuoka Prefecture, is dedicated to Patugumor...
View shrine →
Shizuoka
Okami, Shioya no Kami, Juroku-Kamui-tarae no Kami, Takamatsuno-kagami no Kami, Amanogawa-HisagoLocated in the town of Suntory, Shizuoka Prefecture, is the Five-Deity Shrine (Gosha Jinja), a histo...
View shrine →
Shizuoka
Ifukuji Shrine, located in the picturesque town of Iwata, Shizuoka Prefecture, is dedicated to the S...
View shrine →
Shizuoka
TametomoAnciently revered as a guardian of the Izu Peninsula's fertile soil and abundant natural resources,...
View shrine →
Shizuoka
Matsumi no OkamiThe Matsumi Shrine, located in the city of Fujinomiya in Shizuoka Prefecture, is a historic Shinto s...
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.