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
Ehime
TamagakiLocated in the town of Kitagunma, Ehime Prefecture, Mount Aka Shrine is a Shinto shrine dedicated to...
View shrine →
Ehime
TakemikazuchiShimosanmon-ji Shrine is a Shinto shrine located in the city of Matsuyama, Ehime Prefecture. Dedicat...
View shrine →
Ehime
HachimanLocated in the city of Matsuyama, Ehime Prefecture, the Shinto shrine dedicated to Hachiman, the god...
View shrine →
Ehime
HachimanLocated in Matsuyama, Ehime Prefecture, the Daito Atsuta Hachiman-gu is a Shinto shrine dedicated to...
View shrine →
Ehime
Inari OkamiIn the heart of Ehime Prefecture lies Arai-jinja Shrine, a revered Shinto site dedicated to the god...
View shrine →
Ehime
HachimanLocated in the city of Abashiri, Ehime Prefecture, San'ei Shintoku Jinsha is an ancient Shinto shrin...
View shrine →
Ehime
located in the heart of Shikoku, this shrine is a lesser-known treasure that offers a glimpse into r...
View shrine →
Ehime
Enma DaijinLocated in the Shikoku Mountains of Ehime Prefecture,諏訪神社 is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the ka...
View shrine →
Ehime
This Shinto shrine in Ehime Prefecture is dedicated to the kami of the sugi tree, a species native t...
View shrine →
Ehime
Inari OkamiKami no Oka Shrine, located in Shikoku's Uchiura District of Ehime Prefecture, is dedicated to the d...
View shrine →
Ehime
Located in the rural town of Kuma, Ehime Prefecture, Izunahikari-jinja is a Shinto shrine dedicated...
View shrine →
Nagasaki
Kabisa no OkamiKabisa Shrine, located in Nagasaki Prefecture, is a Shinto shrine dedicated to Kabisa no Okami, the...
View shrine →
Nagasaki
EbisuLocated in the Nagasaki Prefecture, Ebishu Shrine is one of Japan's oldest Shinto shrines, dedicated...
View shrine →
Nagasaki
TakemikazuchiLocated in the heart of Nagasaki, Ifuku Shrine is dedicated to the Shinto deity Takemikazuchi, the g...
View shrine →
Nagasaki
Inari OkamiLocated in Nagasaki Prefecture, 御館山稲荷神社 is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the rice goddess Inar...
View shrine →
Nagasaki
HachimanMale岳 Shrine, located in the heart of Nagasaki, is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the gods of war and...
View shrine →
Nagasaki
Higishimaji no KamiLocated in the city of Nagasaki, Hiji Shrine is dedicated to the Shinto god of the sea and fertility...
View shrine →
Nagasaki
Amaterasu新城神社 is a Shinto shrine located in Nagasaki, Japan, dedicated to the worship of the kami Amatera...
View shrine →
Nagasaki
ShinreiShinsei-ji, the Hoshida Shrine in Nagasaki's Higashi-ku, dates back to 1868 and enshrines Shinrei (D...
View shrine →
Nagasaki
Shindo-karatsu-no-okamiHigh-ranking deity worshipped by the Imperial Family in ancient times, revered as a protector of the...
View shrine →
Nagasaki
Located in the heart of Nagasaki's historic cityscape,椿山神社 is a revered Shinto shrine dedicated...
View shrine →
Nagasaki
RyujinLocated in Nagasaki Prefecture, Kinryu Shrine is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the sea god Ryujin and...
View shrine →
Nagasaki
null山王神社は、1945年2月24日に原子爆弾で被爆した Nagasakiの北西部に位置する Shinto神社。被爆による歴史...
View shrine →
Nagasaki
InariPrayude Inari Shrine, dedicated to the rice god Inari Okami, is a Shinto shrine in Nagasaki Prefectu...
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.