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
Iwate
Matsushita-kamiMatsuzaka Shrine, located in the scenic town of Matsushima, Iwate Prefecture, is a revered Shinto si...
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Iwate
HachimanLocated in the heart of Iwate, Shiroi-Tsurugi-mae Hachiman Shrine, or more commonly known as Kita-Ma...
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Iwate
The Ōtsuchi Shrine, located in Iwate Prefecture, is dedicated to the Shinto deity of good luck and p...
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Iwate
HimuroLocated in the Aomori Prefecture, but listed under Iwate, Eight Cloud God Shrine is a Shinto temple...
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Iwate
Mustaghazanest Shrine is located in Aomori Prefecture and is dedicated to the Shinto god of agricult...
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Iwate
Gozaka Inari Shrine, located in Mutsu city, Iwate Prefecture, is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the ka...
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Iwate
Ōtsukimi-himeLocated in the city of Mutsu, Aomori Prefecture was previously known as Mutsu, but has been renamed...
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Iwate
Fuinandō-ji, commonly known as 飯綱神社, is a Shinto shrine located in the town of Kesennuma, Iwate...
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Iwate
Otsuchi no KamiLocated in the picturesque town of Ichiban, Iwate Prefecture, Takeragoshi Shrine is a serene Shinto...
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Iwate
RyōjinLocated in the northern prefecture of Iwate, the Eight Clouds Shrine is a Shinto temple dedicated to...
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Iwate
Tsukiyomi-no-kamiLocated in the town of Matsue, Mutsu Bay, Iwate Prefecture, Mutsu Tsukiyomi Shrine is dedicated to T...
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Iwate
Located in the scenic town of Hiraizumi, Iwate Prefecture, 荒屋駒形神社 is a Shinto shrine dedicated...
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Iwate
Hiyama no KamiThe Hiyama Tennen Shrine, located in Iwate Prefecture, is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the protectio...
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Iwate
Sada-umi no Kami菅原神社 is a Shinto shrine located in the Tohoku region of Japan's northern island, specifically in...
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Iwate
Inari OkamiEarly Pool Peak Mysterious Spring Shrine, located in the town of Matsushima in Iwate Prefecture, is...
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Iwate
Taira no Osamu Shrine, also known as Ōsaru Shrine in Japanese, is a Shinto shrine located in the Aom...
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Iwate
New JapanNew Japan Shrine, located in Iwate Prefecture, is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the deity New Japan,...
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Iwate
Mokozukuri OkamiLocated in the mountains of Iwate, East Pranchi Temple Mokozukuri Shrine is a Shinto shrine dedicate...
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Iwate
Tucked away in the rugged countryside of Iwate Prefecture lies Name no Ki no O-miya, a lesser-known...
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Iwate
KannonLocated in the picturesque Sagamigahara region of Iwate Prefecture, Sashigahara Kannon is a serene S...
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Iwate
RyujinGodai-gami Shrine is a Shinto shrine located in Matsue City, Shimane Prefecture. It is famous for it...
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Iwate
nullLocated in the prefecture of Iwate,山神神社 is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the kami of mountains an...
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Iwate
AikunokamiLocated in the city of Mutsu, Iwate Prefecture, Komaizumi Aikunisan Shrine is a Shinto temple dedica...
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Iwate
RyujinSmall Shinto shrine dedicated to the god of agriculture and fertility, located in a rural area of Iw...
View shrine →Jump to Shinto shrines across Japan — 108 prefectures in our directory.
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