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
Nagasaki
Amaterasu, SusanooLocated in Nagasaki Prefecture, Washiomae Shrine is a revered Shinto site dedicated to the deities o...
View shrine →
Nagasaki
Tenshū-meiya, located in Nagasaki Prefecture, is a historic Shinto shrine dedicated to the god of ab...
View shrine →
Nagasaki
Inari OkamiLocated in Nagasaki Prefecture, Shiiza Inari Shrine is a lesser-known Shinto site that honors the de...
View shrine →
Nagasaki
Susanoo-no-MikotoIshibashi Shrine, located in Nagasaki Prefecture, is one of Japan's oldest Shinto shrines, dating ba...
View shrine →
Nagasaki
Dai-MyoujinLocated in Nagasaki Prefecture, the shrine is dedicated to Dai-Myoujin, a Shinto deity revered as th...
View shrine →
Nagasaki
InariLocated in Nagasaki Prefecture, the Matsushime Inari Shrine is dedicated to Inari Okami, the Shinto...
View shrine →
Nagasaki
Ōya no Tsurugi可也神社 is a Shinto shrine located in Nagasaki Prefecture, dedicated to the kami of the same name....
View shrine →
Nagasaki
HikoboshiHigh Shimaya Shrine, located in the heart of Nagasaki's historic downtown area, is a revered Shinto...
View shrine →
Nagasaki
nullGodai Shrine is a Shinto shrine located in Nagasaki Prefecture, dedicated to the kami of Godai and o...
View shrine →
Nagasaki
Senno KannonWakunoyoudo Shrine, located in Nagasaki Prefecture, is a Shinto temple dedicated to the Bodhisattva...
View shrine →
Nagasaki
Okuninushi-no-kamiLocated in the heart of Nagasaki, 大山祇神社 is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the worship of the kami...
View shrine →
Nagasaki
RyujinLocated in Nagasaki Prefecture, 龍神のほこら Shrine is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the dragon god R...
View shrine →
Nagasaki
Princess Ruby (or Rubi-hime)Located in the heart of Nagasaki, 瑠璃姫 獅子狛明神 is a revered Shinto shrine dedicated to the spir...
View shrine →
Nagasaki
TenshouTenshūjin Shrine, located in Nagasaki Prefecture, is dedicated to the Shinto god of war and storms,...
View shrine →
Nagasaki
nullLocated in the city of Nagasaki, Shinshoji Shrine is a Shinto temple dedicated to the deity of learn...
View shrine →
Nagasaki
Tennozu OkamiTennozu God Shrine, located in Nagasaki Prefecture, is dedicated to the Shinto deity of power and st...
View shrine →
Nagasaki
Kanemori-OkamiThe Mitama-jinja Shrine, located in Nagasaki Prefecture, is a Shinto temple dedicated to the deified...
View shrine →
Nagasaki
Inari OkamiThe Kuroshima Shrine, located in Nagasaki Prefecture, is dedicated to the kami Inari Okami, revered...
View shrine →
Nagasaki
Ojin-tennoLocated in the city of Nagasaki, City Shrine (Nagasaki) is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the god of t...
View shrine →
Nagasaki
Nanakusebi no kami大歳神社, located in Nagasaki Prefecture, is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the kami of longevity and...
View shrine →
Nagasaki
The primary kami enshrined at the shrine is Shiosai-jin (also known as Shimotomari-gami), a deity revered for its association with the sea and the local fishing industry.Tobira Shrine, located in Nagasaki Prefecture, is dedicated to the kami of the village and serves as...
View shrine →
Nagasaki
Inari OkamiRyukyu Island, a subtropical island off the coast of Kyushu, is home to the ancient Ryukyu Kingdom a...
View shrine →
Nagasaki
EbisuLocated in the heart of Nagasaki city, Neo Ebisu Shrine is a renowned Shinto temple dedicated to the...
View shrine →
Nagasaki
Goshin高城神社 is a Shinto shrine located in Nagasaki Prefecture, dedicated to the worship of the deity Go...
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.