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
RyujinLocated in the city of Shimizu, Shizuoka Prefecture, is the well-known Plain Tailed Eight-Tails Shri...
View shrine →
Shizuoka
HachimanLocated in the city of Hamamatsu, Dayotsu-jinja Shrine is a Shinto shrine dedicated to Hachiman, the...
View shrine →
Shizuoka
Inari OkamiThe Inari Taisha, located in Iwata, Shizuoka Prefecture, is one of Japan's most famous and revered S...
View shrine →
Shizuoka
InazumanokamiHenji no Miyashita Shrine, located in Iwata, Shizuoka Prefecture, is dedicated to the kami of swine...
View shrine →
Shizuoka
SenshuLocated in the city of Fujieda, Shizuoka Prefecture, Senshu Shrine is a Shinto shrine dedicated to t...
View shrine →
Shizuoka
highroots高根神社 is a Shinto shrine located in the town of Ichinomiya, Shizuoka Prefecture. The shrine is de...
View shrine →
Shizuoka
Fuji-sanLocated in the Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park, White Mountain Shrine is dedicated to the deity of Mou...
View shrine →
Shizuoka
Godai-gamiGodai-jinsha, or Godai-shinsha is a Shinto shrine located in the city of Hamamatsu in Shizuoka Prefe...
View shrine →
Shizuoka
InariLocated in the Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park, the Five Treasures Shrine of Inari is a revered Shinto...
View shrine →
Shizuoka
InariThe Tomoe Shrine, also known as the Enoshima Inari Shrine in Shizuoka Prefecture, is a revered Shint...
View shrine →
Shizuoka
ŌsōshinLocated in the city of Kuwana, Shizuoka Prefecture, the Maruyama Ōsōshin no Miya (Maruyama Water God...
View shrine →
Shizuoka
Sokuyama HachimanLocated in the picturesque town of Iwata, Shizuoka Prefecture, East Shine Shrine is a historic Shint...
View shrine →
Shizuoka
Inari OkamiFukusai Inari Shrine, located in Shizuoka Prefecture, is a revered Shinto site dedicated to the kami...
View shrine →
Shizuoka
DaizuLocated in the city of Izu, Shizuoka Prefecture, Daizusha Shrine is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the...
View shrine →
Shizuoka
EnmeiAutumn Leaves Shrine, a serene Shinto oasis in the heart of Shizuoka Prefecture, is dedicated to the...
View shrine →
Shizuoka
InariLocated in the city of Hamamatsu, Shiretoko Inari Shrine is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the kami In...
View shrine →
Shizuoka
Mikoto-no-O no kamiWater Shrine in the heart of Shizuoka Prefecture, dedicated to the god of water and fertility. Locat...
View shrine →
Shizuoka
Amaterasu OmikamiResha-gi Jinja, a Shinto shrine dedicated to the sun goddess Amaterasu in Shizuoka Prefecture, is on...
View shrine →
Shizuoka
OkuninushiLocated in the city of Ena, Shizuoka Prefecture, Takeoka Okuninushi Shrine is dedicated to Okuninush...
View shrine →
Shizuoka
OkamisanChūgatsu Shinan no Okami Shrine, dedicated to the kami of mountain sickness and forest fire preventi...
View shrine →
Shizuoka
Susanoo-no-MikotoNoborito Shrine, located in the heart of Japan's mountains, is dedicated to the legendary deity Susa...
View shrine →
Shizuoka
AmaterasuIndulged in the tranquility of the Atsuta Shrine, a renowned Shinto site located in Nagoya, Aichi Pr...
View shrine →
Shizuoka
InariLocated in the town of Iwata, Shizuoka Prefecture, Iwatu Shrine, also known as Iwatanegi Shrine, is...
View shrine →
Shizuoka
Hachi no kamiLocated in the city of Gotemba, Shizuoka Prefecture, Eight Kings Shrine is a prominent Shinto shrine...
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.