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
SubaruSubaru-jinja, located in the city of Kanazawa in Ishikawa Prefecture, is a Shinto shrine dedicated t...
View shrine →
Ishikawa
Godaigojin no OkamiGodaijiin no kami, or Godaigojin no Okami, is the primary deity enshrined at this shrine. Dedicated...
View shrine →
Ishikawa
Godaijunji Shrine is a Shinto shrine located in the city of Kanazawa, Ishikawa Prefecture. The shrin...
View shrine →
Osaka
Hachiman OkamiLocated in Osaka, Ishichiji-hachiman-miya Shrine is dedicated to Hachiman Okami, the Shinto god of w...
View shrine →
Osaka
Okuninushi no Kamachi Ō-no-miya Tsukumogami kamiTsukumogami Shrine, located in Osaka, is dedicated to the enshrined deity, Okuninushi no Kamachi Ō-n...
View shrine →
Osaka
Kanayama TenjinAddo Shrine, located in Osaka Prefecture, is a Shinto temple dedicated to the god of rice and prospe...
View shrine →
Osaka
Kamado-no-OkamiClear Brook Shrine, located in Osaka Prefecture, is a Shinto temple dedicated to the kami of the cit...
View shrine →
Osaka
HikobosanHigh Heavenly Hikobosan Shrine, located in Osaka's Shitennoji Park, is one of the oldest and most re...
View shrine →
Osaka
EnmaFutadama Shrine is a Shinto shrine located in the heart of Osaka, dedicated to the deity Enma, patro...
View shrine →
Osaka
Fushimi InariLocated in the heart of Osaka, Eight Swords Shrine is a revered Shinto site dedicated to the enshrin...
View shrine →
Osaka
Sokushin-to-kōjinSix Sokusha Shrine, located in the heart of Osaka, is one of Japan's oldest Shinto shrines, dating b...
View shrine →
Osaka
Jikobo no kamiThe thirteen vows shrine is a Shinto temple dedicated to the kami of Buddhist monks and ascetics in...
View shrine →
Osaka
Inari OkamiLocated in the heart of Osaka, Mount Inari Shrine is a Shinto shrine dedicated to Inari Okami, the k...
View shrine →
Osaka
InariFukutsu Ine no Hashiya is a Shinto shrine located in Osaka, dedicated to the god of rice and prosper...
View shrine →
Osaka
HachimanLocated in the heart of Osaka, Yamamoto Hachiman Shrine is a significant Shinto shrine dedicated to...
View shrine →
Osaka
Hachiman OkamiThe Eight-Torii Shrine in Osaka is dedicated to the Shinto deity, Hachiman Okami, a kami of war and...
View shrine →
Osaka
HachimanLocated in Osaka's Kita-ku district, Eighteen-Step Shrine is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the god of...
View shrine →
Osaka
Fukuzan OkamiFukuzan Daikami Shrine, located in Osaka, is dedicated to Fukuzan Okami, a Shinto deity believed to...
View shrine →
Osaka
nullLocated in the heart of Osaka, Daibutsu Okumizuka Shrine is a revered Shinto shrine dedicated to the...
View shrine →
Osaka
DanbiDanbi Shrine, located in Osaka, is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the kami of rice and prosperity. The...
View shrine →
Osaka
Inari ŌkamiLocated in the heart of Osaka, Tsuorigū Shrine is a sacred site dedicated to the worship of Inari Ōk...
View shrine →
Osaka
Located in the heart of Osaka, Kansha Shrine is a historic Shinto temple dedicated to the kami Kansa...
View shrine →
羽曳野市 (Habikino), Osaka
Hachiman-no-kamiLocated in the heart of Habikino, the city of Osaka's capital district, Ōtsu Ward, Daitsun Shrine is...
View shrine →
Osaka
Inari OkamiTenten-jinja, a Shinto shrine dedicated to the deity Inari Okami, is located in Osaka, Japan. The sh...
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.