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
Shiga
Kusuhime, noChiriyu Shrine, located in Shiga Prefecture, is dedicated to the god of agriculture and fertility, C...
View shrine →
Shiga
ŌkamiLocated in the city of Omi, Echizen Province, Ifukune Shrine is dedicated to Ōkami, a powerful deity...
View shrine →
Shiga
nullThis shrine, dedicated to Zogan'in-gami, is a lesser-known but historically significant site in the...
View shrine →
Shiga
AmaterasuLocated in the Omi region of Shiga Prefecture, Dayotsu Shrine is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the su...
View shrine →
Shiga
Inari Ōkami, RyūjinFurutsu Shrine, located in the city of Kōka in Shiga Prefecture, is a well-known Shinto shrine dedic...
View shrine →
Shiga
Tamayamori-no-KamiLocated in the city of Biwako, Lake Biwa's eastern shore in Shiga Prefecture, 大田神社 is a Shinto s...
View shrine →
Shiga
nullLocated in the beautiful Lake Biwa region of Shiga Prefecture, Ifuku-ji Shrine is a lesser-known but...
View shrine →
Shiga
nullLocated in the city of Hikone, Shiga Prefecture, Suai-jinsha Shrine is a Shinto shrine dedicated to...
View shrine →
Shiga
Amatsu-himeLocated in Hikone, Shiga Prefecture, Dayotsu-jinja Shrine is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the sun go...
View shrine →
Shiga
HachimanLocated in the scenic town of Kusatsu, White Mountain Shrine is a prominent Shinto site dedicated to...
View shrine →
Shiga
InariLocated in the scenic city of Kusatsu, Hikataji Shrine is dedicated to the god of prosperity and goo...
View shrine →
Shiga
HieizanLocated in the town of Katsuta, Shiga Prefecture, Hieizan Grand Shrine is a Shinto shrine dedicated...
View shrine →
Shiga
HachimanLocated in the scenic city of Omi, Shiga Prefecture, Ifuku-ji Shrine, dedicated to Hachiman, is a re...
View shrine →
Shiga
High Matsushita Taishōjin Shrine, located in the city of Echizen, Shiga Prefecture, is a significant...
View shrine →
Shiga
Located in the city of Moriyama, Omi-Shi in Shiga Prefecture, Kamata no Okami Shrine is dedicated to...
View shrine →
Shiga
Benzaiten, Susanoo-no-MikotoKinro Shrine, located in Nagahama, Shiga Prefecture, is a significant Shinto site dedicated to the g...
View shrine →
Shiga
Okuninushi奥田神社 is a Shinto shrine located in the town of Katsuyama, Shiga Prefecture. The shrine is dedica...
View shrine →
Shiga
Inari ŌkamiLocated in the Nagahama area of Shiga Prefecture, Nōsaka-san Kōen is a historic Shinto shrine dedica...
View shrine →
Shiga
ŌharagitsuneLocated in the city of Nagahama, Omiwa Shrine is dedicated to the kami Ōharagitsune, a serpent deity...
View shrine →
Shiga
Yata-no-kamiLocated in the heart of Lake Biwa's scenic area, Omi-jojigoku Shrine is dedicated to the kami Yata-n...
View shrine →
Shiga
Tsushima OkamiTsushima Shrine, located in the city of Omiya, Shiga Prefecture, is a historic Shinto shrine dedicat...
View shrine →
Shiga
BenzaitenLocated in the city of Nagahama, Land of Treasure Shrine is a historic Shinto shrine dedicated to th...
View shrine →
Shiga
Small but serene Minamigawa Riverfront Shrine dedicated to the Shiba no Okami, a lesser-known kami a...
View shrine →
Shiga
Located in the town of Hikone, Shiga Prefecture, White Tiger Temple is a Shinto shrine dedicated to...
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.