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
Akita
HachimanThe Daytetsu Shrine, also known as the Hachimantai Shrine, is a Shinto shrine located in Akita Prefe...
View shrine →Akita
Ryujin, JujiThe Sasazure-ishi Shrine is a Shinto shrine located in the city of Akita, situated by the shores of...
View shrine →Akita
Ryujin, Eightfold Deity, Umi-no-Mikoto, FujinLocated in the heart of Akita Prefecture, the Seven-Faced Shrine is a revered Shinto site dedicated...
View shrine →Akita
InariTakahashi Honji Shrine, also known as Daisen Inari Shrine, is a Shinto shrine in Akita Prefecture de...
View shrine →Akita
Hakumen Okamigusa no MikotoThe Monkey's Stone Shrine, dedicated to Hakumen Okamigusa no Mikoto, the Shinto god of fertility and...
View shrine →Akita
HachimanLocated in the heart of Akita Prefecture, Kappa no Ma Shrine is a Shinto temple dedicated to the eni...
View shrine →Akita
Located in the city of Akita, the Taipei-yama Sanjikisen ta, or 'Taiping Mountain Sanji Shrine', is...
View shrine →Akita
Uesugi Katsunaga, RyujinThe Additions of Shukubo Shrine, located in Akita Prefecture, is dedicated to the legendary samurai...
View shrine →Akita
Located in Akita Prefecture, the Shiroi-ishi-yama Shrine is a historic Shinto site dedicated to the...
View shrine →Akita
Sugawara no MichizaneLocated in the heart of Akita, Taibei-yama Shrine is a serene Shinto site dedicated to the deities b...
View shrine →Akita
RyūjinLocated in the heart of Akita Prefecture, Taipei Mountain Shrine is a tranquil oasis nestled within...
View shrine →Akita
RyujinLocated in the heart of Akita, Taibeizan Shrine is a tranquil oasis nestled among the mountains. Ded...
View shrine →Akita
RyujinMaratadashi Shrine, located in the heart of Akita Prefecture, is a sacred site dedicated to the ensh...
View shrine →Akita
Kubikakushi-no-Kami, Kunitoki-no-MikotoLocated in the heart of Akita, the Taipei Mountain Kotohira Taishogami Shrine is a revered Shinto si...
View shrine →Akita
KaneLocated in Akita Prefecture, Sanjikijinja Shrine is a Shinto temple dedicated to the kami of prosper...
View shrine →Akita
RaijinLocated in the mountains of Akita Prefecture, Taibeizan Shrine is dedicated to the Shinto deity Raij...
View shrine →Akita
Located in the heart of Akita Prefecture, Taiping-san Shrine is a serene Shinto temple dedicated to...
View shrine →Akita
Tsukiyomi-no-kamiLocated in the mountainous region of Akita Prefecture, Tsukimiya Shrine is a lesser-known Shinto shr...
View shrine →Akita
Tsukiyomi-no-kamiThe Hand Basin Shrine, located in Akita Prefecture, is a Shinto site dedicated to the worship of Tsu...
View shrine →Akita
nullAi-saki Shrine, located in Akita Prefecture, is a Shinto temple dedicated to the kami of love and fe...
View shrine →Akita
nullLocated in the city of Yuzawa, Akita Prefecture, Iizodo-shrine is dedicated to the Shinto god of wel...
View shrine →Akita
RyujinTennmand temple, located in Akita Prefecture, is a historic Shinto shrine dedicated to the god of ri...
View shrine →Akita
Ōyashimo TenjinLocated in the heart of Akita, Tooheien-zaka Shrine is dedicated to the Shinto deity Ōyashimo Tenjin...
View shrine →Akita
nullLocated in the Akita Prefecture, the stone shrine of Jishi Shrine is a sacred site that honors the k...
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.