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
Amano Hachiman Shrine
Shizuoka
HachimanAmano Hachiman Shrine is a Shinto shrine located in the town of Minami-Oshiro, Shizuoka Prefecture....
View shrine →
Aohani Shrine
Shizuoka
AohiAohani Shrine, located in the town of Iwata in Shizuoka Prefecture, is a Shinto shrine dedicated to...
View shrine →
Araki Shrine
Shizuoka
InariAraki Shrine, located in the city of Iwata in Shizuoka Prefecture, is a Shinto shrine dedicated to t...
View shrine →
Atago Shrine
Shizuoka
HoteiAtago Shrine is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the god of fire and prosperity, located in the heart of...
View shrine →
Awashima Shrine
Shizuoka
Inari OkamiLocated on the southernmost tip of Awashima Island in Shizuoka Prefecture, Awashima Shrine is a Shin...
View shrine →
Benten Shrine
Shizuoka
BenzaitenLocated in the city of Numazu, Shizuoka Prefecture, Benten Shrine is a Shinto temple dedicated to Be...
View shrine →
Benten Shrine
Shizuoka
BenzaitenBenten Shrine is a historic Shinto temple located in the city of Gotenba, Shizuoka Prefecture. Dedic...
View shrine →
Daiba Shrine
Shizuoka
RyujinLocated in the city of Kakegawa, Shizuoka Prefecture, Daiba Shrine is a revered Shinto temple that h...
View shrine →
Dainichido Shrine
Shizuoka
AmaterasuDainichido Shrine is a Shinto shrine located in the city of Fujiyoshida, Shizuoka Prefecture. Dedica...
View shrine →
Ebisujinja Shrine
Shizuoka
EbisuEbisujinja Shrine is a prominent Shinto shrine located in the city of Shizuoka, dedicated to the god...
View shrine →
Fujizuka of Suzukawa
Shizuoka
FujisanFujizuka of Suzukawa is a Shinto shrine located in Suzukawa, Shizuoka Prefecture, dedicated to the w...
View shrine →
Funayose Shrine
Shizuoka
nullFunayose Shrine, located in the town of Kikugawa in Shizuoka Prefecture, is a scenic Shinto shrine d...
View shrine →
Hachiman Jinja
Shizuoka
HachimanHachiman Jinja, located in Shizuoka Prefecture, is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the god of war and j...
View shrine →
Hachiman Jinja
Shizuoka
HachimanLocated in the city of Hakone, Shizuoka Prefecture, Hachiman Jinja is one of Japan's oldest and most...
View shrine →
Hachiman Shrine
Shizuoka
HachimanHachiman Shrine, located in the town of Gotemba, Shizuoka Prefecture, is one of Japan's most famous...
View shrine →
Hachiman Shrine
Shizuoka
HachimanLocated in the city of Narita, Chiba Prefecture, Hachiman Shrine is one of Japan's most famous Shint...
View shrine →
Hachiman Shrine
Shizuoka
HachimanHachiman Shrine, located in Shizuoka Prefecture, is dedicated to the Shinto god of war and learning,...
View shrine →
Hachimangu Shrine
Shizuoka
HachimanHachimangu Shrine, located in Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture, is one of Japan's most famous Shinto shrines...
View shrine →
Hachimangu Shrine
Shizuoka
Hachiman OkamiLocated in the city of Fujieda, Shizuoka Prefecture, Hachimangu Shrine is one of Japan's most famous...
View shrine →
Hakusan Shrine
Shizuoka
HachimanLocated in the Nagisa Mountains of Shizuoka Prefecture, Hakusan Shrine is a historic Shinto temple d...
View shrine →
Hatajyo Fudomyo Oku-no-In Shrine
Shizuoka
FudomyoLocated in the city of Katskawa, Shizuoka Prefecture, Hatajyo Fudomyo Oku-no-In is a small shrine de...
View shrine →
Hatisaki shrine
Shizuoka
Inari OkamiLocated in the town of Izuhamada, Hatisaki Shrine is a Shinto shrine dedicated to Inari Okami, the k...
View shrine →
Hayatawake-no-Mikoto Shrine
Shizuoka
Located in the city of Fujieda, Shizuoka Prefecture, Hayatawake-no-Mikoto Shrine is a Shinto shrine...
View shrine →
Hie Shrine
Shizuoka
AmaterasuHie Shrine, located in Shizuoka Prefecture, is one of Japan's most famous Shinto shrines. Dedicated...
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.